Wasteland
A sign lies among the ruins on May 23, 2011. The tornado left a path of destruction nearly a mile wide through the heart of the city.

Apocalyptic
Destroyed homes and debris cover the ground as a second storm moves in on May 23, 2011.

Salvage
A man removes a guitar from a severely damaged home on May 23, 2011.

Devastation
A flag waves over a scene of destruction on May 23, 2011, one day after the tornado wreaked havoc on the city. 

Rescue
Amy Langford carries items from her home on May 23, 2011.

Shattered
Justin Titus stands on his front porch as the sun comes up on May 23, 2011.

Remnants
Mark Langford sorts through debris looking for his personal belongings on May 23, 2011.

Joplin, Mo., May 22, 2011
Residents walk west on 26th Street near Maiden Lane.

Major Damage
A helicopter lies in the parking lot of the regional medical center on May 22, 2011. According to the local fire department, 25%–30% of the Missouri city suffered major or significant damage from the tornado.

Piled Up
A man walks past destroyed vehicles in the parking lot of the regional medical center on May 22, 2011.

Wreckage
Emergency personnel walk through a severely damaged neighborhood in Joplin, Mo., on May 22, 2011. 

Blown Away
A man stands amid the remains of a Walmart store that lost its roof after it was hit by the tornado on May 22, 2011. 

Assistance
Residents help a woman who survived the tornado by remaining in her basement on May 22, 2011.

这是飓风卡特里娜的卫星图