NWS: Joplin, Mo., tornado was highest-rated EF5
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
May 24, 2011 at 9:16 PM EDT
Story Updated:
May 24, 2011 at 9:16 PM EDT
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the tornado that swept through the southwest Missouri town of Joplin was a highest-rated EF5 storm, with winds greater than 200 mph.
The twister that struck Sunday was the deadliest single tornado to touchdown since the National Weather Service began keeping official records in 1950. It's the 8th-deadliest single twister in U.S. history.
Officials said Tuesday the storm also injured more than 750 people. Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr says nine people have been recovered from the debris, and authorities say the search and rescue effort is continuing.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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