[WeatherOp]

The tornado cut right through Joplin, MO yesterday. At least an EF4 and the AP is reporting that already 89 have been confirmed dead. That toll already surpasses both the Tuscaloosa tornado and the Hackleburg tornado. Also a hospital took a direct hit.

[Nuclear1]

Red Cross says about 25% of the town is gone.  They've set up a shelter at the nearby university, and its 250 person capacity is almost half full already.

This isn't a small place either, it's got at least 50,000 people there. 

[Flipside]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13497489

More information.

[Nuclear1]

Here's something I posted on another website re: Joplin.  Mostly applies to American HLPers.

If you guys are wondering what you can do to help, here's a couple of things:
1) Donate blood. The people injured in this tornado are going to need it. The Red Cross does regular blood drives all throughout the US. You can find your nearest drive and sign up to donate at www.redcrossblood.org

2) Donate money. The Red Cross has also set up a shelter for 250 people at Missouri Southern State University, and it's nearly half full. A small, even $10, donation would help immensely with getting food, shelter, clothes, medical attention, and water to Joplin.
You can donate via credit card through the Red Cross's website

3)  If you live in Tornado Alley or any other region at high risk for tornado outbreaks, read up on FEMA's tornado FAQ.  Be prepared for the worst.

[mjn.mixael]

This is no more than an hour south of me. I'm thinking I'm going to head down there this week and volunteer.

  They closed I-44 (the highway) and won't let anyone into Joplin unless you are with an emergency team.

It's really bad down there, hospitals are being flooded with patients across the region. F.E.M.A. is going down there too. I know the Kansas City, MO (where I live)'s Fire Dept is heading that way too.

[Mongoose]

This is just horrific. I can't believe the pictures coming out...there are cars lying all over the place that look like crumpled soda cans.  Even some of the paint was stripped off them.  If that hospital hadn't managed to stay standing, the death toll would already be far far worse.

[General Battuta]

This is no more than an hour south of me. I'm thinking I'm going to head down there this week and volunteer.

  They closed I-44 (the highway) and won't let anyone into Joplin unless you are with an emergency team.

It's really bad down there, hospitals are being flooded with patients across the region. F.E.M.A. is going down there too. I know the Kansas City, MO (where I live)'s Fire Dept is heading that way too.

You're a good man, Mr. Mixael.

And yes this is appalling. I feel so awful for the families afflicted - what a blow.

[WeatherOp]

I hope they get the same outpouring of help the South had. We know all too well the horrors they are dealing with. What worse is they are under the gun again today and tomorrow.

There will have to be some changes to the safety tips of tornadoes next year. The mental safety net that Doppler radar provided has come crashing down like many of us worried about.

[Nuclear1]

http://www.redcross-ozarks.org/donate/

This is the closest Red Cross chapter to Joplin, I'm assuming the same one that mjn.mixael talked to.  Again, donations as small as $10 are being accepted via credit card, which would be enough to get a lot of canned food and blankets to the people in the shelter down there.

Or hell, even if you don't have the money, just send them an email or give them a call and thank them for the great job they're doing.

[PsychoLandlord]

Heading out to the local Blood drive. I have friends in that area, and thankfully none of them got caught up in the storm, but all the same I'm going to do what little I can to help out.

[Destiny]

This is just horrific. I can't believe the pictures coming out...there are cars lying all over the place that look like crumpled soda cans.  Even some of the paint was stripped off them.  If that hospital hadn't managed to stay standing, the death toll would already be far far worse.

In one of the images, I recall seeing a strip mall completely...debris.

Hope there aren't any more storms that'll hit in the vicinity of the already badly affected areas.

[WeatherOp]

Death toll reported to be up to 116 as of right now. Preliminary rating is High end EF4(190mph) so it's the same strength as the Tuscaloosa tornado as of what they have surveyed right now.  Could be bumped up to an EF5.

[G0atmaster]

Entire lawns were ripped up.  LAWNS.  That's one crazy tornado.

[mjn.mixael]

More news on this.. the area of Joplin that got wiped out was literally the south part of the main town (not like just the suburbs). It's totally gone.

Also, looks like Obama is head there on Sunday.

Looks like things are getting organized and they are starting to take volunteers. I may be able to head down there yet.

[WeatherOp]

Upgraded to EF5.

[mjn.mixael]

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/05/25/kansas-city-star-tor.html?dlvrit=36761

EDIT: FFFFFUUUUUUUUUU  http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=461407&shr=addthis