May 23rd, 2011
06:10 AM ET

Tornado decimates Missouri city; number of deaths expected to rise

Residents in Joplin, Missouri, braced for news of fatalities Monday after a vicious tornado flattened buildings, tossed cars and hurled debris up to 70 miles away.

"I would say 75% of the town is virtually gone," said Kathy Dennis of the American Red Cross.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon activated the Missouri National Guard and stressed urgency in rescuing survivors after the Sunday evening twister.

"It's total devastation, with a hospital down, the high school down, other areas," he said. "We just want to make sure that as the night goes on, we're saving lives between now and dawn."

Nixon said late Sunday night that there was no official death toll, but "we have had confirmation of a number of deaths. And the number appears to be rising."

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Filed under: Joplin • Missouri • Tornadoes • Weather
soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. Joe

    "Cursed be everyone who curses you (Israel),
    and blessed be those who bless you (Israel)."
    (Genesis 27:29)
    (This is a clear warning to all people/nations who curse the nation or people of Israel)

    May 23, 2011 at 7:50 am | Report abuse |
    • Haiti earthquake AND Joplin tornado survivor...

      I never did a darn thing to Israel you cold hearted jerk.. have some RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!

      May 25, 2011 at 9:59 am | Report abuse |
  2. Cesar

    @Fake Cesar 7:58: I hope you die in a car accident and have your body severed in half, you black hearted MF.

    May 23, 2011 at 8:23 am | Report abuse |
  3. banasy

    @Joe:

    Comparisons to Israel are inappropriate for those who have never done a thing to them in Joplin, MO. Please show some respect for these poor people.

    My condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my sympathy to those who have lost home and hearth.

    May 23, 2011 at 8:38 am | Report abuse |
  4. jmc

    My heart goes out to these folks the weather just keeps getting more wicked i live north carolina and we have already had some really bad storms this year just saying

    May 23, 2011 at 2:04 pm | Report abuse |
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