The Twister: Caught in the Storm—How many People died in the Joplin Tornado?

The Joplin tornado of May 22, 2011, remains one of the deadliest in U.S. history, claiming the lives of 161 people and injuring nearly 1,000 more. The EF-5 tornado, which tore through the city with wind speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, left a devastating path of destruction, leveling homes, schools, businesses, and hospitals.

A Deadly and Historic Storm

Joplin’s tornado struck during an already record-breaking tornado season. Just weeks prior, the country had experienced the Super Outbreak of April 2011, one of the largest tornado outbreaks ever recorded, with 875 tornadoes in a single month. On the day of the Joplin disaster, the National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning just 17 minutes before the twister touched down on the city’s western edge. (via People)

Within minutes, entire neighborhoods were flattened. St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Joplin High School, and major commercial buildings like Walmart and Home Depot suffered catastrophic damage. More than 6,900 homes were completely destroyed, and over 15,000 vehicles were tossed like toys, demonstrating the storm’s incredible force. (via Forbes)

Lives lost in the Joplin Tornado

The official death toll stands at 161, making it the seventh-deadliest tornado in U.S. history and the 27th-deadliest worldwide (According to Storm Aware).

According to News Press Now, 54% of those who died were in their homes, while 32% were in nonresidential areas like businesses and churches. The remaining victims were outdoors, including in vehicles. (via Screen Rant). Among those who lost their lives were:

• Will Norton, 18, who had just graduated high school and was driving home when the tornado sucked him out of his car. His body was later found in a nearby pond.
• Don Lansaw, 31, who shielded his wife from the storm, sacrificing his own life. “He is my hero,” Bethany Lansaw wrote in a tribute. (via Forbes)
• Christopher Lucas, 27, a Pizza Hut employee who helped more than a dozen people take shelter in a freezer before he was killed trying to secure the door shut. President Barack Obama later honored him for his heroism.
• Grace Layug Aquino, 46, who died while protecting her 12-year-old son, Malachi, saving his life.
• Sarah Anderson, 47, a school district secretary, and her husband, William, who both perished together.
• Tripp Miller, 50, a Special Olympics gold medalist who succumbed to his injuries.

The Aftermath: More Deaths Followed

The tragedy didn’t end when the storm passed. Survivors faced immense trauma and loss, and some couldn’t bear the emotional toll. The Guardian reported that 18 people died by suicide in the months following the tornado. Stephanie Brady, executive director of the Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri, noted the deep psychological wounds left by the disaster. (via Screen Rant)

Additionally, a rare fungal infection known as mucormycosis spread among the injured, claiming five more lives. This aggressive, flesh-eating disease required extensive surgeries to remove infected tissue.

A Legacy of loss and Resilience

The Joplin tornado remains a stark reminder of nature’s destructive power. More than a decade later, the scars of that day remain in the city’s landscape and its people. Survivors continue to share their stories, ensuring that those who lost their lives are never forgotten.

Netflix’s The Twister: Caught in the Storm revisits this catastrophic event through the eyes of survivors. The documentary presents haunting footage of the storm’s aftermath and firsthand accounts of those who lived through it, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the tornado’s lasting impact. 

The Twister: Caught in the Storm is now streaming on Netflix.