May 22
The nation’s deadliest tornado on record hits Joplin, demolishing a 14-mile path of stores, churches, 10 of 13 public school buildings and 7,000 homes. Gov. Jay Nixon declares a state of emergency and dispatches both the Missouri Medical Assistance Team and National Guard.
May 23
Emergency vehicles scramble to pick up bodies found in the rubble and bring them to makeshift care units at places like Lowe’s home improvement store. About 1,500 volunteers arrive at Missouri Southern State University, which, overnight, becomes a Red Cross shelter for displaced families and also a temporary morgue.
May 31
Gov. Nixon announces the federal government decision to cover 90 percent of costs of expedited debris removal in the damaged city, up from the typical 75 percent for disasters.
June 10
Eight tornado victims are diagnosed with a rare, invasive fungal infection called zygomycosis. Typically lethal, it is the direct cause of death for at least one victim. The fungus invades open wounds that come in contact with soil debris.
June 20
To the dismay of residents, the Joplin City Council votes 7-2 to halt all home reconstruction projects for 60 days to expedite debris removal.
July 6
Gov. Nixon announces that six organizations will partner to launch the Joplin Child Trauma Treatment Center, to which the state allocates $2 million. The center offers mental health services to affected families.
July 25
The Southwest Missouri Better Business Bureau accuses RescueJoplin.org of masquerading as a non-profit raising money for tornado victims. At the same time, a collaborative local effort called Rebuild Joplin is fundraising for long-term recovery, and the Citizens Advisory Recovery Team holds in-person and virtual forums for Joplin citizens to have a voice in that process.
August 17
Students head to the first day of school with makeshift classrooms in converted warehouses and a local mall. Joplin High School’s old building won’t be rebuilt for three years, but there’s already a new sign that reads, “Hope High School.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announces an initiative to build a “weather-ready” nation, with test projects around the country to enhance preparedness for natural disasters and increase safety in the future. Joplin’s tornado was one of nine separate disasters in 2011 that each cost more than $1 billion. Total year losses amount to more than $35 billion. Severe weather events also eliminate jobs, including those of 5,000 Joplin workers.
September 11
The New York Says Thank You Foundation ends its 50-state tour of The National 9/11 Flag in Joplin. When residents sew the final stitches of the flag’s restoration, they metaphorically bind the nation to be stronger than any catastrophic act of terror or nature.
September 20
The NOAA National Weather Service releases its final assessment report on the 200 mph tornado that killed 159 and injured 1,000 of Joplin’s 50,000 residents. The mile-wide tornado was the deadliest since record keeping began in 1950.
October 5
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” arrives for a project to rebuild seven homes in seven days, with the help of 10,000 volunteers and 21 regional contractors. All materials are donated, including 30,000 anticipated meals for the workers, from local churches.
October 26
At the end of the “Extreme Makeover” week, the Howard family is welcomed into their new home live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
October 27
Barry Manilow presents a $300,000 gift to Joplin students: musical instruments to replace those lost when the schools were destroyed.