Joplin Tornado Anniversary: Remembering The Destruction Wrought On Missouri (PHOTOS)

One year ago, an EF-5 tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri, killing 161 people and causing nearly $3 billion in damage. The tornado, which was the deadliest in six decades, was also the costliest "since at least 1950," according to the Associated Press.

In the year since the tornado, residents and volunteers have worked tirelessly to clear debris and rebuild a community shaken by the violent storm. Over 600 permits for new homes and nearly 3,000 for "residential repairs and rebuilding projects" had been issued by late April, according to AP. Students at the local high school have attended class in a converted big-box retailer, as a new school is not scheduled to open until 2014.

The tornado anniversary comes a day after Joplin High School's graduation ceremony, which featured a commencement address by President Obama. Last year's commencement took place mere hours before the devastating tornado hit the city. Joplin Principal Kerry Sachetta said, according to AP, "They had to grow up the night of the storm. They saw things they never should have had to see."

Outside of Joplin and the U.S., support for the town's beleaguered residents has come from thousands of miles away. Last week, United Arab Emirates Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba announced that the Middle Eastern country was donating $5 million to Joplin's recently renamed Mercy Hospital for a pediatric section and neonatal intensive care unit, reported AP.

Al Otaiba said, "The resilience of the people of Joplin is an inspiration to the entire world. Emiratis have watched this community recover and rebuild from the disaster last year, and we are honored to help Mercy deliver an enhanced level of medical care to children."

Below, scroll through images of the damage done to Joplin, Missouri and the subsequent recovery efforts.

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• The Aftermath...

  In this May 22, 2011, file photo residents walk in the street after a massive tornado hit Joplin, Mo. The National Weather Service is kicking off an experiment starting April 2, 2012 with a new kind of tornado warning that's aimed to scare people into seeking shelter.(AP Photo/Mike Gullett, File)

• In this May 23, 2011 file photo, a mangled street sign stands among tornado debris in Joplin, Mo. City infrastructure including manhole covers and fire hydrants are among the $500 million in taxpayer assistance provided after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin nearly a year ago,becoming the costliest tornado on record. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

• This May 24, 2011 photo shows extensive tornado destruction in Joplin, Mo., with the damaged St. John's Regional Medical Center hospital building at foreground center, after the powerful May 22, 2011 storm. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

• In this May 24, 2011 file photo, the path of a powerful tornado is seen in Joplin, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 29, 2011: U.S. President Barack Obama and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon walk together during a visit to the community that was devastated a week ago by a tornado on May 29, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The tornado, which was packing winds of more than 200 mph, is now considered to hold the record for the highest death toll in U.S. history. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• In this May 30, 2011, file photo damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood. A federal agency was set to release a report Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, detailing communication efforts ahead of the massive twister that hit Joplin, killing more than 160 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

• JOPLIN, MO- JUNE 18: Members of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, of Independence, Kansas, attempt to lift a toppled wall while clearing the remains of a home on June 18, 2011, in Joplin, Missouri. More than 28,000 volunteers have made their way to Joplin to help clear debris in the weeks following an EF5 tornado that leveled parts of the city. (Photo by Julie Denesha/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - JUNE 18: Volunteer Andrew Wallace of Fayetteville, Arkansas stacks books salvaged from the remains of a home on June 18, 2011, in Joplin, Missouri. More than 28,000 volunteers have made their way to Joplin to help clear debris in the weeks following an EF5 tornado that leveled parts of the city. (Photo by Julie Denesha/Getty Images)

• In this July 21, 2011 file photo, a worker walks among a pile of debris at a landfill in Galena, Kan., where some of the 2 million cubic yards of tornado debris have been hauled from nearby Joplin, Mo. Debris cleanup accounted for about one-fifth of the $500 million in tax dollars spent after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of Joplin last year. The tornado that tore through Joplin a year ago and already ranks as the deadliest twister in six decades, now is considered the costliest since at least 1950. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

• JOPLIN, MO - JULY 29: Workers clear debris from a home destroyed by the May 22 tornado July 29, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The city continues with its recovery efforts following the tornado which killed 160 people, destroyed 7,500 homes and as many as 500 businesses. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - JULY 29: Vacant lots remain where a neighborhood once stood prior to the May 22 tornado July 29, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The city continues with its recovery efforts following the tornado which killed 160 people, destroyed 7,500 homes and as many as 500 businesses. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - JULY 29: Carl Morgan of C.K. Construction helps to rebuild a home destroyed by the May 22 tornado July 29, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The city continues with its recovery efforts following the tornado which killed 160 people, destroyed 7,500 homes and as many as 500 businesses. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

• Nearly Eight Months Later...

  Nearly eight months after an EF-5 tornado left 160 people dead, the damaged and abandoned St. John's Regional Medical center is seen between two houses being rebuilt Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 in Joplin, Mo. The city has issued nearly 4,000 building permits to homeowners since the tornado hit on May 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

• In this photo taken Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, artwork stands in a park, which has been rebuilt after it was destroyed nearly eight months ago by an EF-5 tornado that tore through in Joplin, Mo. The city has issued nearly 4,000 building permits to homeowners since the tornado hit on May 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

• Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. hammers a nail as he helps build a Habitat for Humanity home Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in Joplin, Mo. Ripken's visit to southwest Missouri is the first stop in a 13-city tour of Habitat volunteer projects. The trip is sponsored by Energizer Holdings Inc., a St. Louis-based battery manufacturer. (AP Photo/The Joplin Globe, T. Rob Brown)

• In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the ruins of the former St. John's Regional Medical center stands in Joplin, Mo. Destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago, the hospital is in its third temporary facility while construction continues on a new replacement a couple miles to the south. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

• In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a new home rises among ruins of others in a Joplin, Mo., neighborhood which was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary of the costliest tornado on record approaches on May, 22. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

• Boston Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard, left, and Kansas City Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur pose for photographs during a news conference at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Major League Baseball and a charitable foundation for players are working with Habitat for Humanity to build nine homes for the tornado-ravaged cities of Joplin and Tuscaloosa, Ala. About half the funding will come from State Farm, the insurance company. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

• One Year Later...

  JOPLIN, MO - MAY 19: Codessa Schoonover spends time remembering her grandmother as she sits on what remains of the tree in front of the home her grandmother was killed in when a tornado hit the home almost one year ago on May 19, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tuesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 19: A home is seen under construction as the town rebuilds from the catastrophic tornado that hit almost one year ago on May 19, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tuesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 19: The foundations of homes are all that remain after the debris has been cleared from the catastrophic tornado that hit almost one year ago on May 19, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tuesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 20: Construction workers put together what will eventually be an apartment building that is replacing one that was destroyed when a tornado hit almost one year ago on May 20, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tuesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 21: A sign reads, 'Always 5-22-11 Remember'' a day before the one year anniversary of the massive tornado that hit the town on May 21, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tomorrow will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• JOPLIN, MO - MAY 21: Jeremy Nelson (C) with the help of construction workers rebuilds his home after it was destroyed when a tornado hit almost one year ago on May 21, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tomorrow will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Comments

[readnu0711]

05:43 PM on 05/22/2012

The people of Joplin have done a remarkable job after the horrible destruction of one year ago today. A lot of the rebuilt houses DO have a safe room in them to protect the people. Since the tornado made a direct hit on a major hospital, it was a miracle that the death toll was not a lot greater. The people there stuck together and made the best out of a horrible situation. The pictures do not really do justice to how bad the destruction actually was.

[smburwick]

04:20 PM on 05/22/2012

They never received help from this government and cleaned it up themselves.

[Bienville]

06:08 PM on 05/22/2012

Except for all this stuff.
http://www.fox14tv.com/story/15150105/two-months-after-the-tornado-the-fema-numbers

Except for this $13,600,000.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110623/NEWS01/106230352/FEMA-working-assist-Joplin-tornado-victims

Except for this $45,000,000.
http://20poundsofheadlines.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/45-in-fema-other-fed-money-headed-for-joplin/

Except for these FEMA trailers.
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/kspr-joplin-mo-tornado-pictures-of-fema-trailers-for-displaced-joplin-mo-residents-after-may-22-tornado-20110615,0,7458641.photogallery

Except for these classrooms.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=57146

What were you saying about not getting government help and doing all alone?

[the crustybastard]

12:36 PM on 05/23/2012

[golf clap]

[eden4barack08]

06:30 PM on 05/22/2012

Riiight..because FEMA is not part of this government, it's some agency from out of space.

[Debra White]

03:36 PM on 05/22/2012

I hope they don't get hit again. They're in a very dangerous area.

[tothszilard]

03:24 PM on 05/22/2012

You folks are mostly building your houses from light materials -like wood and related- in tornado areas. As I'm a viewer from Europe, we are mostly building our houses using steel, concrete, stone and brick even that we can not face tornados. In Joplin the buildings built by concrete and steel had survived the disaster. Could it be a solution for the population to start erecting houses using much stronger building materials!?

[grantdgreat]

04:39 PM on 05/22/2012

The europeans have a track record of wars every 30 years, these aren't houses they are bomb shelters. Since we have trees and the europeans don't

[aqua0]

01:50 AM on 05/23/2012

What a jaded reply to someone genuinely offering a suggestion that makes sense.

[the crustybastard]

12:47 PM on 05/23/2012

The brick houses and concrete brick structures didn't fare as well as you imagine.

Indeed, having seen the effects up-close and personal, in the event of a tornado, I'll make a point to avoid being anywhere near them. They may protect you from flying debris, but they also may collapse on top of you.

I noticed that houses (of various material) with large mature trees in the yard fared better than those without. I suspect the trees broke up the wind to a certain extent. Most died saving their owners.

I'm pretty sure that's the case with respect to my partner's parents.

[italianchoctaw]

12:33 PM on 05/22/2012

After a summer of volunteering in animal rescue with people of every background from all over the country, my faith in humanity has been restored. It was a life changing experience and I will never forget and forever love the people, the pets, the rescuers and volunteers of Joplin, Missouri. Blessings to all!!!

[mokando]

12:30 PM on 05/22/2012

It has come a long way, but there will be a lot more to do in the following years.

[Rob2tall]

12:06 PM on 05/22/2012

I hope that many who doubt the global warming will now rethink the side effects.One is super T cell thunder storms-with massive regional impact. Storms that generate super tornado outbreaks. Its just a side effect of our ever changing weather.

[Rob2tall]

12:04 PM on 05/22/2012

my hope is that as Joplin rebuilds-each home is redesigned to help withstand a tornado-rather than just throw up a new home-each needs a storm shelter built to withstand any disaster.
Heavy use of reinforced concrete-a proper vent system,thick walls,power,etc..much like a survival shelter.The best design is not being utilized and its far cheaper-thats a dome home. Some are nearly disaster proof and 1/4 the cost of what is being built there now.When we design for looks and not for safety we design for disaster!

[the crustybastard]

12:50 PM on 05/23/2012

I wish they'd have built neighborhood shelters.

[BVictor1]

12:01 PM on 05/22/2012

It would be nice to see solar panels atop the new construction... maybe a green roof on the flat top buildings.

With all the natural disasters that have been occurring, it's an opportunity to go green and encourage energy efficiency.

I hope some of these steps and ideas are being implemented.

[allinwonder]

12:36 PM on 05/22/2012

It's a red state; dont count on that.

[Stephanie Fravel Morton]

01:42 PM on 05/22/2012

Why does politics have to be brought into this?

[the crustybastard]

12:50 PM on 05/23/2012

We're a purple state.

[CB5]

10:12 AM on 05/25/2012

Greensburg, Ks proved they could do it after they were wiped out!

[Dennydorite]

11:53 AM on 05/22/2012

Went to Joplin with a group of mental health professionals who assisted those affected by the disaster, especially those who lost family and friends. A tiny church put us up, fed us and gave us encouragement and support the entire two weeks. The images of devastation are burned in my mind as are the memories of all the good, resilient people of Joplin we met there.

[Carbon Forteetoo]

11:50 AM on 05/22/2012

I'm seeing a lot of wood and particle board construction going into these new houses. Shouldn't new houses have concrete block, at least for the outer walls? Especially in the tornado zone?

[tothszilard]

03:34 PM on 05/22/2012

Exactly. I'm a continental European viewer and even though that we don't have to face winds with the strength of tornado, we are mostly using concrete, steel and brick for erecting family houses as well as public buildings too. In Joplin the concrete buildings had survived the disaster with minor damages. But for those thousands of people who lost their wooden homes is the real loss of everything that they have. Brick, concrete and steel would be the solution.

[mjohnson992000]

11:26 AM on 05/24/2012

Unfortunately, this town is full of very poor, very under educated people. It costs a lot more money to build out of concrete than to just use plywood. The majority of these people can't afford it...plain and simple. You can build those types of houses, but no one can afford to buy them.

[aqua0]

01:53 AM on 05/23/2012

Stubbornness wins out and trumps common sense.

[mmvernes]

11:09 AM on 05/22/2012

I hope all the new homes have storm cellars.................Otherwise rebuilding defeats the cause

[the crustybastard]

12:52 PM on 05/23/2012

It's solid rock underneath. Almost nobody in Joplin has a basement.

[mmvernes]

03:16 PM on 05/23/2012

Didn't know that - thanks for letting me know :) Hopefully they have a storm" room"
that can survive the tornado built into their living area then

[menopaws]

11:00 AM on 05/22/2012

Most of my family is from Joplin and I spent many summers visiting there. It is a remarkable place and I am proud to have Joplin blood in my veins. Tough, strong, smart people who love their families and their community. They make me proud every day!!!!

[Carbon Forteetoo]

11:46 AM on 05/22/2012

Does having "Joplin blood" prevent you from donating to the blood bank? Since it can't possibly be compatible with St. Louis blood.

;)

[jymfrancais]

10:18 AM on 05/22/2012

Just watched the entire Speech from Prs Obama, Graduation 2012 in Joplin...Whoa, that was powefull....

[monmouth]

11:54 AM on 05/22/2012

What amazed me was when the Superintendent started naming the awards, scholarships and high honors these seniors received. Their school gone, their spirit soared under not the best of conditions. It was very moving and a lesson to the rest of us. Joplin, an example of what is best about humanity..

[Sarah Pearson Ince]

12:18 PM on 05/22/2012

It was an awesome speech. He did a great job.

[sharonk]

10:10 AM on 05/22/2012

As a resident of Joplin, I'd like to thank all the people in the U.S. and across the globe who came to our aid with prayers and help. The volunteers STILL come. I know that when people read news stories, they often see the negative side of humanity. Trust me on this, if you ever experience a disaster of gigantic proportion, you'll witness just how beautiful and caring people really are. Last year, volunteers from all over the country showed up in droves and worked in the blazing summer heat. They weren't even asked, they just came. Everywhere you looked, people were helping. I still can't think about it without crying. Thank you all so much!!

[kkinmisc]

10:41 AM on 05/22/2012

Thinking of you all in Joplin. I know this anniversary will bring up some deep emotions.

[italianchoctaw]

12:40 PM on 05/22/2012

♥