Author(s)
Erica D. Kuligowski, Frank Lombardo, Long Phan
Abstract
Tornadoes wreak havoc and destruction across the United States every year. One such tornado occurred in Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. This tornado killed 161 people, damaged nearly 8,000 structures and caused billions of dollars in damage. This chapter discusses the NIST Technical Investigation of the environmental conditions, performance of buildings, emergency communications and human response to the Joplin, MO tornado. As a result of this investigation, recommendations to improve public health and safety are currently being implemented. A discussion of these recommendations concludes this chapter.
Citation
Extreme Weather. Health and Communities: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Engagement Strategies
Publisher Info
Springer, New York, NY
Keywords
tornado, disaster, public response, emergency communications, disaster and failure studies
Citation
Kuligowski, E.
, Lombardo, F.
and Phan, L.
(2016),
Human Response to and Consequences of the May 22, 2011, Joplin Tornado, Extreme Weather. Health and Communities: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Engagement Strategies, Springer, New York, NY, [online], https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30626-1 (Accessed May 8, 2026)
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