Survivors of tornado that leveled Missouri city look back

FILE - In this May 22, 2011 file photo, emergency personnel walk through a severely damaged neighborhood after a tornado hit Joplin, Mo. A sky-darkening storm was working its way into southwest Missouri around dinnertime on a Sunday evening of May 22, 2011, zeroing in on the city of Joplin. Forecasters knew the storm's potential was fierce and gave early warnings. Then, as storm sirens blared, one of the nation's deadliest tornados hit _ leveling a miles-wide swath of Joplin and leaving 161 people dead. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE - In this May 22, 2011 file photo, emergency personnel walk through a severely damaged neighborhood after a tornado hit Joplin, Mo. A sky-darkening storm was working its way into southwest Missouri around dinnertime on a Sunday evening of May 22, 2011, zeroing in on the city of Joplin. Forecasters knew the storm's potential was fierce and gave early warnings. Then, as storm sirens blared, one of the nation's deadliest tornados hit _ leveling a miles-wide swath of Joplin and leaving 161 people dead. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

By Associated Press May 21, 2016 6 min read

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A sky-darkening storm was working its way into southwest Missouri around dinnertime on a Sunday evening, zeroing in on the city of Joplin.

Will Norton was among 400 graduates of Joplin High School emerging from their commencement ceremony. Liz Easton was watering plants in her yard, while Mark Lindquist was tending to residents of the group home where he worked. About 10 miles away, the county coroner, Rob Chappel, was at home.

Forecasters knew the storm’s potential was fierce and gave early warnings. Then, as storm sirens blared, one of the nation’s deadliest tornados hit – leveling a miles-long swath of Joplin on May 22, 2011. The storm was eventually blamed for 161 deaths.

Here are stories about some of the victims and survivors, and the city’s recovery:

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