Devastating EF5 Joplin Tornado and Aftermath May 22, 2011

On May 22, 2011 an EF-5 Monster Tornado over a mile wide leveled portions of the Southwest side of Joplin, Missouri. Jeff and Kathryn Piotrowski knew that the atmosphere that day was going to be extremely volatile and Jeff mentioned many times in his forecast about storms near Joplin. No truer words were spoken as the day unfolded and a tornadic storm developed near Galena, Kansas which traveled on to Joplin and dropped a horrific wedge tornado. Jeff and Kathryn traveled through the city of Joplin not hearing sirens, Jeff yells at a policeman on Hwy 66 or 7th "To get the sirens going" and it wasn't soon enough. Already the tornado had grown in size massively and was intensifying...Jeff and Kathryn filmed it down 20th St. and afterwards turned on the first street they came to which was Iowa Ava. Jeff and Kathryn had filmed this EF-5 within blocks of from 20th. Iowa Ave. was devastated with many fatalities and some survivors. Jeff and Kathryn immediately went into help mode and did what they could to help, comfort and console. God Bless Joplin.

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[xxikayixx]

Our team followed this storm that day, and we got behind the tornado and never had a chance to get into Joplin with all the damage that was done. After seeing this video, I don't think I would of been able to handle myself as well as this man did. Thank you for this video, definitely a tragic piece of history.

[TornadoAlleyVideo]

@dribbledrabble The dog is fine...we located the owner of the little dog several days later. His story as well as the persons whom we encountered, their stories of survival and courage are on the DVD

[Knepperify1]

Driving through the debris field of an EF-5 is neither useful, helpful or sane.

One of these days one of you chasers are going to get blown into the vortex of one of these things and we will find your camera memory card with your last moments on it.

You don't need to document such an event further.

1) See an EF-5

2) Run like hell away from it's path

3) Seek shelter underground in a concrete, reinforced structure.

4) Stay there until it passes.

This was known 100 years ago, no need to improve

[metalstorm91291]

It's weird thinking that, just a few minues ago, I was browsing Youtube looking for "cool" tornado videos...

Even though I know it would've been a horrific experience, seeing this video makes me wish I was there during the aftermath to help out. May God bless those who perished, their families, and people like you who helped out.

[Sunburn2007]

@MOSKII58 I wasn't laughing at the people on the ground, I was laughing at her. Wearing a helmet is a moot point in those situations; they will not stop shrapnel traveling in excess of a hundred miles per-hour from penetrating the helmet and your skull. If I could say why I know, I would. But trust me, its psychological relief, that's all it does for anyone, including her.

[MOSKII58]

@Sunburn2007 well lets see... look at the car they are in- the front windshield has several cracks and on Jeffs side it is completely shattered, now look at all the flying debris around them and what would happen if a shingle or metal object flew into the driver side and hit kathy in the head..still laughing..hope not nothing funny about what happened here..

[nickthestick26]

@1amycav An F1 would do damage. That's how they get rated. But an F1 is nothing compard to that.

[IronfistAmerican]

Iv'e been chasing storms for years and this video quivered my lips. What a horrible day. We're always looking for the big one. That day, there was more than bargained for. GOD bless those in Joplin and those effected.

[LeApplePie]

Holy crap, did that crack the windshield? Or was it already like that?

[1amycav]

why do they make the houses so flimsy? i bet a f1 would do damage

[midesti]

I live in Wyoming, but I was on the phone with my father when the storm passed through southeast Kansas. My parents live in Girard, KS, but the storm ended up passing south of them. I remember looking at the Doppler images of the storm and remarking about the ridiculous "hook echo" on the southwest portion of the storm. When I heard that Joplin got hit, I was horrified, but not surprised. My thoughts are with those affected.

[devon1116]

the aftermath was very real and disturbing, I wasn't expecting to see all of that.