During the early hours of Sunday, May 22, 2011, fourteen years ago, a massive EF5 tornado tore through the heart of Joplin, Missouri.

The tornado began just west of Joplin at about 5:34 p.m. CDT, appearing to have multiple vortices rotating around the parent circulation, downing many years at EFO intensity. The tornado moved east-northeast and strengthened to EF1 intensity as it continued through the rural areas towards Joplin. The tornado then tracked into the more densely populated areas of Joplin, damaging several homes at a subdivision at EF3 intensity. The now massive wedge-shaped tornado crossed S. Schifferdecker Ave. at 5:38 p.m. CDT and started producing EF4 intensity only four minutes after touching down. The tornado quickly gained EF5 intensity as it continued through Joplin, destroying about 25% of the city, making it the costliest tornado in U.S. history.

The tornado caused more than one hundred fatalities and injured more than 1,000 people, making it the deadliest tornado in Missouri history and the seventh deadliest tornado in United States history.