At least 24 people are dead and widespread damage has been reported after a tornado Sunday in the Route 66 town of Joplin, Mo., according to varying media reports.
Here are a few facts that have come over in the last hour or two:
- 75 percent of the city reportedly has sustained damage
- All lanes of Interstate 44 through town have been closed until further notice
- The city’s high school and St. John’s Hospital have sustained serious damage
- Southwest Joplin remains nearly impassable because of debris and smoke from fires
- Aid stations have been set up at historic Memorial Hall (map here)
For ongoing coverage, go to the Joplin Globe newspaper, KOAM-TV, and KODE-TV.
UPDATE: Here’s the first video posted on YouTube:
UPDATE2: A slide show of the damage:
https://youtu.be/BFulwYzIdZk
UPDATE3: The Springfield News-Leader also is a good source of information about the tornado. Here’s a timeline of the storm.
UPDATE4: The Joplin Globe is posting many updates on its Facebook page.
UPDATE5: A late report by the Joplin Globe says Cherokee County, Kan. — which includes the Route 66 towns of Baxter Springs, Galena and Riverton — sustained no damage from the storm.
UPDATE6: A late report from Reuters says the death toll may reach 100.
UPDATE7: The death toll reached 89 as of Monday morning, reported the Springfield News-Leader.
UPDATE8: You can donate here to the Ozarks chapter of the American Red Cross.
UPDATE9: Here’s the first helicopter video of the damage:
The damage will probably run into hundreds of millions of dollars, and it’s likely thousands of people will be essentially homeless for a long time.
UPDATE10: Here’s storm-chaser video of the twister. The shocking thing is how big the tornado became so quickly:
Who, what, where and how can we contribute, help out or donate? They were supposed to have their festival right after Amarillo, maybe now we should all head up there anyway right after Amarillo and bring clothes, canned goods, bottled water and whatever else we can do to help??? I believe they said this morning, that the tornado ended up being the worst single tornado recorded in the U.S. since 1953! Let’s all give them our Route 66 support…
Agreed! If anyone hears of how we can help, even though long distance, please post. I stayed in Joplin on a trip down 66 a few years ago and thought it was a great town.
Death toll now past 116 and over 1,100 injured, the dealiest single tornado in the U.S. since 1899, and will likely surpass the 1899 mark as well. Give what you can, donate what you can, Joplin needs our help…
A horrible situation anywhere, but especially when it hits the Mother Road.
Liz and I will be making a donation.
We have had lots of coverage here in the Chicago area, but what you have on your blog is the most striking, especially the first helicopter and the tornado hunters.
we have a trip planned starting Saturday to travel the mother road all the way to California and back, Obviously with the Joplin tornado, and the super cells that have been spotted today i’m getting quite nervous about the trip, not only do i want to encounter bad weather, but i also dont want to be in the way of rescue/ clean up does anyone know of any good sources to get up to date info regarding route 66 ? I really dont want to miss out on this trip becuase i have been wanting to do this for most of my life, does anyone have any suggestioins or helpful info?
Based on what I’ve seen from weather forecasts, once we get through tonight (Tuesday), conditions should calms down considerably.
I don’t know of any damage to the main Route 66 corridor in southwest Missouri at this time. Joplin’s southwest side caught the brunt of the tornado, which is a mile or more north of 66.
Ron thanks for the update.. I really dont wanna postpone this trip because i have no idea when we would be able to go again.. I’ll keep my fingers crossed the weather clears up. It’s such a horrible thing, I feel so bad for all of those people..