15 years since a deadly tornado brought Joplin, Mo. together, kindness carries on
Fifteen years after a devastating tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, the community continues to exemplify kindness and cooperation. The disaster prompted an outpouring of support from nearly 100,000 volunteers across the country, fostering a spirit of unity among residents. This collective compassion has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the resilience and strength that emerged from tragedy.
- ▪The tornado, which occurred on May 22, 2011, was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, claiming nearly 160 lives.
- ▪In the aftermath, Joplin saw a remarkable response with almost 100,000 volunteers helping with recovery efforts.
- ▪Social psychologists note that disasters often lead to increased altruism and community bonding, overcoming social barriers.
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| Original publisher | NPR Topics: News |
| Canonical URL | https://www.npr.org/2026/05/23/nx-s1-5831985/joplin-missouri-tornado-catastrophe-compassion |
| Publication time | Sat, 23 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-23T09:07:26.171Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-23T10:34:46.438Z |
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National 15 years since a deadly tornado brought Joplin, Mo. together, kindness carries on May 23, 20265:00 AM ET By Pauline Bartolone In the aftermath of the tornado, thousands of volunteers came to help Joplin from around the country. Many wrote messages of hope on this tornado-damaged house, and later, Joplin residents wrote a thank-you message to the volunteers. FEMA hide caption toggle caption FEMA Nanda Nunnelly had just come home from a weekend out of town when a massive, multi-vortex tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011. The sky, she says, had a sickly green tinge. When the tornado sirens went off, she jumped in a closet with her husband and dog. " Within just seconds… it was so loud that it was quiet," remembers Nunnelly.
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