Tornado Alley (PROG)

[F6]

Tornados strike Joplin - updated at 7:45pm

Posted: May 22, 2011 7:34 PM CDT
Updated: May 22, 2011 7:46 PM CDT

Updated 7:45 PM CST: Joplin High School has been severely damaged. The graduation was today, but was held at Missouri Southern.

Posted 7:40 PM CST: Tornadoes touch down in Joplin leaving a path of destruction throughout the city.

Power lines and phone lines are down. Communications are difficult.

Starting at 20th and Rangeline a tornado destroyed countless buildings throughout the area.

At the 15th and Rangeline Walmart ambulances lined the street as emergency rescue officials across the Four-States have responded to rescue hundreds of residents trapped inside the building.

St. John's hospital was also hit hard by the tornado. One resident living nearly 45-miles away from the hospital says his yard is now full of debris from the hospital-- medical supplies and x-rays.

Officials say the hospital is severely damaged. Chunks of the building were taken out and windows were blown out.

Eastbound and westbound I-44 is closed at mile marker 18 near Joplin due to overturned tractor trailers during severe weather.

More updates will be posted as we confirm information.

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http://www.koamtv.com/story/14694117/tornados-strike-joplin