About this recording
Published 2026-05-22. Fifteen years ago today, Joplin changed forever. On May twenty-second, twenty eleven, a violent EF-five tornado tore through Joplin, Missouri. It touched down around five thirty-four PM Central time and crossed the city in just thirty-eight minutes. This archived recording reflects reporting at publication; conditions may have changed.
An archive briefing, not a real-time warning. Follow current instructions from local authorities.
Understand the reports
Use these explainers to interpret the measurements and warnings discussed in disaster coverage. They provide background, not updates to this archived briefing.
