Twister: Caught in the Storm – How long did the Joplin 2011 Tornado last?

The recently released Netflix's documentary Twister: Caught in the Storm revisits one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history—the Joplin tornado of 2011. This EF5 storm tore through the Missouri city, leaving behind unimaginable destruction. But how long did the tornado last, and what made it so devastating?

How long did the Joplin Tornado last?

The Joplin tornado was on the ground for approximately 32 to 38 minutes. According to reports from the White House archives, the tornado first touched down at 5:34 PM CDT just east of the Missouri-Kansas state line.

It rapidly intensified, reaching EF5 status as it moved into Joplin’s densely populated areas. By the time it dissipated, it had traveled 22 miles, with 13 miles cutting through Joplin's city limits, per USA TODAY.

A City Unprepared for the Storm

By the time the Joplin tornado struck on May 22, 2011, the U.S. had already seen an unprecedented number of tornadoes that year. More than 800 twisters had touched down across the country in the previous month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, despite the ongoing severe weather, Joplin was largely unprepared for what was coming. (via PEOPLE)

Residents had only 20 minutes from the time warning sirens blared to when the tornado reached the city center. Heavy rainfall obscured visibility, making it difficult to recognize the approaching storm. Within minutes, wind speeds accelerated to over 200 mph, turning debris into deadly projectiles.

The path of Destruction

The tornado initially touched down in a rural area at slower speeds, but as it approached Joplin’s core, it intensified. The Weather Channel reported that in a matter of minutes, the storm flattened homes, tore through commercial buildings, and left entire neighborhoods unrecognizable. Mike Jenkins, a member of The Weather Channel’s Tornado Hunt team, recalled:

“Everything, as far as the eye could see in every direction, was gone. It took my breath away.”

Jess Baker, another storm chaser, described the devastation:

“I pointed to my right and said, ‘We can walk across that field.’ [Then] as the words came out of my mouth, I realized that wasn’t a field — or at least it hadn’t been about 30 minutes earlier. It was an entire neighborhood that had been flattened. It was demolished. Nothing had been left standing. It was awful. If the apocalypse had an image, that’s what it would look like.”

Impact on Joplin’s Landmarks

Even critical facilities were not spared. St. John’s Regional Medical Center, one of Joplin’s main hospitals, suffered extreme damage. Doctors had only minutes to evacuate patients before windows shattered and hazardous debris filled the building. The hospital’s life flight helicopter was ripped off the roof, and debris jammed its radiators, causing a power outage, per Johnson County Emergency Management. (via PEOPLE)

Unimaginable Losses

The Joplin tornado was one of the most catastrophic in U.S. history. It resulted in:

• 158 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries
• 7,411 homes and 553 businesses damaged or destroyed
• 17,000 residents affected
• 15,000 vehicles tossed or crushed

According to Steve Runnels, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Springfield, the tornado moved at 15 to 30 mph over a densely populated area. He explained: “To put that in context, it would have taken two minutes to pass over your house.” (via USA Today)

A Legacy of Resilience

The Joplin tornado remains one of the deadliest twisters on record. Now, Twister: Caught in the Storm revisits this tragic event, shedding light on the disaster and the resilience of Joplin’s residents. As the 14th anniversary of the storm approaches, the documentary serves as a sobering reminder of nature’s power and the importance of preparedness.

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