Almost 14 years after a devastating tornado wreaked havoc on Joplin, Missouri, a new documentary revisits the catastrophic event. This brutal EF-5 twister tore through the city on May 22, 2011, reaching wind speeds of 200 mph and spreading nearly a mile wide, leaving utter destruction in its path. The violent storm claimed around 160 lives, severely damaged approximately 7,500 homes, and dismantled entire neighborhoods, turning a once-thriving community into a devastated landscape akin to a war zone. The event remains one of the deadliest tornadoes in over 60 years.
The documentary, released by Netflix, captures the profound impact of this event on the residents of Joplin, who witnessed their community transformed overnight. Kerry Sachetta, the principal of Joplin High School at the time, described the scene as reminiscent of the devastation observed in World War II, a sentiment felt throughout the town. As fires from gas leaks smoldered in the aftermath, shaken survivors desperately searched for missing family members, navigating streets littered with debris and crushed vehicles.
One of the most harrowing scenes unfolded at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Staff had mere moments to relocate patients to the safety of hallways before the hospital itself suffered severe damage, having been knocked off its foundation. The storm blew out windows and incapacitated the facility’s generators, halting life-saving ventilators. Medical records and X-rays were discovered scattered as far as 75 miles away. Six lives were lost at the hospital in the twister’s immediate aftermath, with additional patients succumbing to injuries later. The damage was so extensive that the hospital was eventually demolished.
The human toll was profound. Among the victims was Will Norton, an 18-year-old who perished on the way home from his high school graduation when he was ejected from his family’s vehicle. Norton’s family, consumed by grief, preserved his bedroom as a memorial, finding comfort in the familiarity of his belongings, such as an open pack of chewing gum and his mismatched socks. Meanwhile, a nursing home became the site of further tragedy, with around a dozen residents perishing when tornado-flung vehicles collided with the facility. Survivors faced further dislocation as they were sent to homes across four states.
Conflicting reports persist regarding the exact death toll. While the federal storm center cites 158 deaths, local records include three additional fatalities, one due to a lightning strike. Despite this discrepancy, what remains clear is the profound impact of this disaster on the Joplin community.
Education took a significant hit as well, with six schools destroyed and seven others extensively damaged. Displaced students found themselves finishing the academic year early and adapting to makeshift classrooms, from a converted big-box store to an alternative location elsewhere in the town. Despite such obstacles, the community persevered, rebuilding with federal support, donations, insurance, and a multimillion-dollar bond. These efforts culminated in the reopening of Joplin High School in 2014 with a dedication ceremony attended by then-Vice President Joe Biden, who hailed the community as the epitome of American resilience and spirit. A poignant symbol of hope emerged during the first post-tornado home football game when an eagle, the school’s mascot, soared overhead—an enduring metaphor for the community’s resolve to rise and rebuild.
