DisastersMore tornadoes headed to Joplin, Missouri
As emergency responders pick through the wreckage from Sunday’s massive tornado in Joplin, Missouri, residents are preparing for another monstrous storm that could generate more deadly tornadoes; meteorologists anticipate that thunderstorms will hit Joplin once again on Tuesday night; rescue workers raced to sift through the rubble in search of survivors before the next storm hits; it is estimated that 30 percent of the city has been destroyed after the tornado carved a three-quarter mile wide path of destruction; so far officials have confirmed that at least 117 people are dead, more than 600 injured, and approximately 1,500 are still missing from one of the country’s deadliest tornadoes in over sixty years; initial projections rate the monstrous tornado as an EF-4 with wind speeds of 166 to 200 miles per hour; it is reported that the mile-wide funnel contained two cyclones inside; President Obama is currently overseas in the United Kingdom, but plans to visit Missouri this weekend after returning from Europe
As emergency responders pick through the wreckage from Sunday’s massive tornado in Joplin, Missouri, residents are preparing for another monstrous storm that could generate more deadly tornadoes.
Meteorologists anticipate that thunderstorms will hit Joplin once again on Tuesday night.
According to Bernie Rayno, a senior meteorologist with Accuweather.com, the storm heading towards Joplin has the telltale signs of a storm that will generate tornadoes.
Rayno said that the combination of the building jet stream and the “directional sheer,” or varying wind speeds at different atmospheric heights, are likely to create tornadoes.
On Tuesday, rescue crews raced to sift through the rubble in search of survivors before the storm hit.
It is estimated that 30 percent of the city has been destroyed after the tornado carved a three-quarter mile wide path of destruction.
So far officials have confirmed that at least 117 people are dead, more than 600 injured, and approximately 1,500 are still missing from one of the country’s deadliest tornadoes in over sixty years.
Initial projections rate the monstrous tornado as an EF-4 with wind speeds of 166 to 200 miles per hour. It is reported that the mile-wide funnel contained two cyclones inside, what experts call “a multiple vortex.”
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was stunned by the devastation and its abruptness.
“You don’t go to bed at night thinking something like this would happen,” Governor Nixon said. “I was down here for graduation on Saturday, gym was filled with 4,000 of the happiest people you’re ever going to see and the next thing I hear is that we’ve got a tornado coming and 24 hours later we’re down here looking at this.”
President Obama is currently overseas in the United Kingdom, but plans to visit Missouri this weekend after returning from Europe.
From London, President Obama pledged his support for the people of Joplin and promised that those affected by the storms would receive “every ounce of resources the federal government may have” to aid in their recovery.
