Missouri's devastating twister aftermath

Photos and raw footage capture the astonishing destruction of Sunday night's tornado

Published May 23, 2011 2:26PM (EDT)

An emergency worker searches a Walmart store that was severely damaged by a tornado in Joplin, Mo., Sunday, May 22, 2011. A large tornado moved through much of the city, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (AP)
An emergency worker searches a Walmart store that was severely damaged by a tornado in Joplin, Mo., Sunday, May 22, 2011. A large tornado moved through much of the city, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (AP)

Of Sunday night's twister in Joplin, Missouri, Red Cross spokesman Michael Spencer told the AP: "I've been to about 75 disasters, and I've never seen anything quite like this before." Indeed, the images and raw footage that document the devastating storm speak volumes about the intensity of the destruction it has caused. (As much as 30 percent of the city  has been damaged -- with many areas destroyed outright.) Here are some of the most gripping images from the storm's aftermath (scroll down to see video).

Residents of Joplin walk west on 26th Street near Maiden Lane.

Pepsi-Cola employee Mark Johnson looks at the wreckage of the Pepsi bottling plant that was destroyed by the tornado.

A man carries a young boy who was rescued after being trapped in his home.

 

Residents begin digging through the rubble of their home.

  

William Jackson, left, and Ashley Martin, volunteer firefighters from Oklahoma, survey the wreckage of destroyed homes.

People walk down a residential street lined with rubble.

 An emergency worker searches through the wreckage of the Joplin Walmart.

Damaged vehicles litter the parking lot of St. John's Hospital.

[All photos from the Associated Press]


By Emma Mustich

Emma Mustich is a Salon contributor. Follow her on Twitter: @emustich.

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Natural Disasters