Shocking images of destruction after Missouri's tornado
A massive tornado that tore a 10-kilometre path across southwestern Missouri killed at least 89 people as it slammed into the city of Joplin, ripping into a hospital, crushing cars like soda cans and leaving a forest of splintered tree trunks behind where entire neighborhoods once stood.
People walk through a demolished neighbourhood the day after a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri May 23, 2011.
Ted Grabenauer, of Joplin, looks at heavy duty equipment operators clear the street in the early morning hours in Joplin, Missouri May 23, 2011, the day after a devastating tornado hit the town.
Smoke rises in the distance as vehicles drive along a road in Joplin, Missouri May 22, 2011 after a tornado hit the town.Reuters
People dig through the rubble of a shoe store as they look for survivors in Joplin, Missouri May 22, 2011 after a tornado hit the town.Reuters
A damaged house is seen on 15th Street and Rangeline road in Joplin, Missouri May 22, 2011 after a tornado hit the town.Reuters
Janet Martin attempts to salvage medication and mementos from her brother's home before a second storm moves in, on May 23, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri.
A damaged car is seen at Home Depot on Rangeline road in Joplin, Missouri May 22, 2011 after a tornado hit the town.Reuters
Residents of Joplin, Mo, walk west on 26th Street near Maiden Lane after a tornado hit the southwest Missouri city on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011.
Evelyn Knoblauch surveys the damage to her children's home after it was destroyed when a tornado hit Joplin, Missouri May 23, 2011.
Mark Langford sorts through the debris looking for personal belongings after his home was destroyed when a tornado hit Joplin, Missouri May 23, 2011.
A destroyed home is seen after a massive tornado passed through the town on May 24, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. 116 people are known to have been killed and authorities expect the death toll to climb in the town of 50,000 people. Rescue workers are searching for survivors as the threat of further storms still looms.
Maddie Meek, 9, (L) and her mother Dina Meek salvage what they can from her sister-in-law's home after it was destroyed when massive tornado passed through the town killing at least 116 people on May 24, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. Authorities were prepared to find more bodies in the town of 50,000 people.
Volunteers look through the rubble for victims after a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, May 24, 2011. A monster tornado killed at least 116 people in Joplin, when it tore through the heart of the small Midwestern city, ripping the roof off a hospital and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
Volunteers look for survivors in the rubble of a home after a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, May 24, 2011. A monster tornado killed at least 116 people in Joplin, when it tore through the heart of the small Midwestern city, ripping the roof off a hospital and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
Members of Missouri Task Force One search-and-rescue team work at a tornado-damaged Home Depot store Tuesday, May 24, 2011, in Joplin , Mo. A large tornado moved through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses.