Two survivors found in Joplin tornado debris while death toll rises to 123

[News_Editor]

Two survivors found in Joplin tornado debris while death toll rises to 123

2011-05-25 14:43:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOPLIN, MISSOURI (BNO NEWS) -- Search and rescue teams in the Missouri city of Joplin have found two more survivors after Sunday's devastating tornado which killed at least 123 people, officials said.

Search and rescue teams which include more than 400 firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, and 200 trained civilian volunteers, have been searching debris left by the tornado since Sunday.

Including the two people rescued on Tuesday, a total of nine survivors have now been located by those search and rescue teams. The teams are expected to search the entire area for a fourth time on Wednesday, and a fifth search following that is also planned.

But officials also announced that the death toll rose to 123 on Tuesday evening, making it the deadliest single tornado since modern record-keeping began in 1950. It is also ranked 8th among the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history.

In addition to the fatalities, officials said a total of more than 850 people have been injured by the tornado. 750 people were treated at Joplin's two hospitals, while more than 100 others were treated at other hospitals outside Joplin. Many remain seriously injured.

In other developments on Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that approximately 5,000 structures were damaged or destroyed in the impacted area. It was explained that in a multi-unit apartment complex, each individual apartment is considered a structure.

Joplin city employees also tested the seven tornado sirens which were still standing in the disaster area. It was determined all were working properly, and one of the two sirens which went missing has been replaced. The other one will be replaced on Wednesday.

The new tornado siren came immediately to use when, hours later, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado warning for Joplin. In the area which is missing its tornado siren, police vehicles used their public address system to notify residents. No tornado, however, impacted Joplin.

In addition to that, Joplin police also announced a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the disaster zone to ensure safety. "Residents of the area are being instructed to remain inside their residences during the curfew period," the governor's office said.

Meanwhile, the NWS has upgraded Joplin's tornado rating from an EF-4 to an EF-5, the highest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. An EF-5 tornado means its winds were greater than 200 miles per hour, which compares to a category three hurricane.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-25

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