Death toll from Missouri tornado rises to 116
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
May 23, 2011 at 5:18 PM EDT
Story Updated:
May 23, 2011 at 5:18 PM EDT
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - The death toll from a tornado that shredded the southwest Missouri city of Joplin now stands at 116.
City Manager Mark Rohr says seven people have also been rescued since the storm struck Sunday evening. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says he's "optimistic that there are still lives out there to be saved."
The tornado tore a six-mile-long, half-mile wide path through the middle of Joplin. Much of the city's south side was leveled, with churches, schools, businesses and homes reduced to ruins by winds of up to 165 mph. Officials have estimated 2,000 buildings were damaged.
Joplin is about 160 miles south of Kansas City.
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