At least 24 dead in Joplin (Missouri) tornado

Source: The Kansas City Star

Ryan Nicholls with the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management told the News- Leader that 24 fatalities have been confirmed in the wake of a tornado touching down in Joplin. The number of injuries is unknown.

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In Wisconsin, a powerful storm caused significant damage in La Crosse, tearing roofs from homes and sending emergency responders to search damaged buildings for anyone trapped inside, officials said. La Crosse County sheriff's dispatcher Tim Vogel described the damage as "significant" but told The Associated Press there were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

In Joplin, extensive damage has been reported on the south side of the city and along Rangeline Road, a major commercial thoroughfare in the city.

The tornado struck Joplin at about 5:45 p.m., according to reports transmitted to the Springfield branch of the National Weather Service. St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin was severely damaged, and scanner traffic indicated emergency responders from surrounding communities are converging on the city to assist with victims.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/05/22/2894308_tornado-strikes-joplin-mo.html?storylink=omni_popular

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We are just now starting to realize the extent of this terrible carnage.

Looks like a populated area, and the hospital clearly took a lot of damage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu7B4FMKIPQ&feature=player_embedded#at=21

I wish I could say the death toll will go no higher now but we know that's not the way it usually works.

"What the name of the church was called."

I'm so glad the school was empty.

And with communications wiped out in some areas it might be hard to get word from them soon. I hope they're OK.

They lost phone service and were offline earlier this year, but got it up again in a week. I'm trying to get them online right now, thanks.

CNN story re: Joplin.
http://www.cnn.com/

This is mind blowing. Incredible number of HUGE tornadoes this year.

This at 20th and Wisconsin in Joplin.

At least 89 dead in Missouri tornado
'I just couldn't believe what I saw'

Updated: Monday, 23 May 2011, 4:38 AM MDT
Published : Monday, 23 May 2011, 3:06 AM MDT

ALAN SCHER ZAGIER and KURT VOIGT, Associated Press
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - UPDATE: Authorities confirm 89 dead after massive tornado hits southwest Missouri city.

http://www.kasa.com/dpps/news/national/midwest/joplin-missouri-tornado-damage-deaths_3820094

It appears the emergency response teams are still trying to wrap their heads around this tragedy.