VIDEO: 89 Dead In Joblin, Missouri Tornado… Most Deadly U.S. Tornado In Over 50 Years

(Twitpic Of Joblin, Mo Tornado)

Yesterday the southwestern Missouri city of Joblin which has a population of just over 50,000 was hit by one of the deadliest tornados in over 50 Years. Click after the jump to see updates & video of the damages from chopper.

@DjRellyRell

JOPLIN, Missouri – UPDATE, MONDAY at 10:26 A.M. More emergency organizations are dispatching help to the victims of the Joplin tornado. Want to help? Find out how on our story “Red Cross, Nat. Guard to aid Joplin”

UPDATE, MONDAY at 9:16 A.M. NBC Action News reporter Larry Seward is in Joplin, Missouri. He said with the current rain “streets are rivers because debris from the tornado is clogging the storm drains. It is also really slowing down the rescue efforts.” He added that power is still out for thousands and that it is still unknown how many are missing.

UPDATE, MONDAY at 6:00 A.M. Emergency officials say there are 89 confirmed deaths and 400 serious injuries after tornadoes rocked Joplin Sunday. According to officials, over 25 to 30 percent of the city has major or significant damage.

The tornado effectively cut the city in half, leading emergency crews to cut paths through the debris to be able to travel through the city. Search and rescue teams are still looking for those trapped in rubble.

UPDATE, MONDAY at 4:55 A.M. As of Monday morning, at least 30 people are dead in Joplin, Missouri, but a city spokesperson expects that number to rise. The Missouri National Guard and several agencies from across Missouri are searching for survivors.

Damage is widespread after the twister leveled many homes and businesses. Shelters are open at Missouri Southern State University for people who lost their homes.

Schools are closed today in Joplin and they may remain closed for several days. The tornado pummeled St. John’s Medical Center and other buildings, and hurled cars across neighborhoods.

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A major tornado caused massive damage in Joplin Sunday afternoon, leveling buildings, killing dozens and leaving heavy damage to many standing structures.

According to the Springfield News-Leader, at least 24 people have died from the tornado which struck around 6 p.m.

The tornado caused widespread damage to the city of 50,000 people, and the Red Cross estimated that 75 percent of the city is destroyed.

St. John’s Regional Medical Center sustained major damage. There were reports of fires throughout the building and fears of an explosion occurring due to broken gas lines.

Many businesses were destroyed and power lines are down throughout the city.

Resources are being mobilized to assist the residents of Joplin. The Kansas City Fire Department is sending crews to Joplin to assist in search-and-rescue efforts. Volunteers from the Kansas City chapter of the Salvation Army are also heading to city. Around 9:20 p.m., it was announced that the Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was deploying the Missouri National Guard to the area.

The tornado is thought at this time to have been between three-quarters to one-mile wide, with a damage path of at least three miles. The tornado’s official ranking on the Fujita scale, which classifies the strength of a tornado between a ranking of F1 to F5, has not been officially determined. NBC Action News’ chief meteorologist Gary Lezak said that he believes that the tornado was an F5, which means that it had wind speeds of 261 to 318 miles-per-hour.

There are multiple reports of people being trapped in cars and in buildings. The Red Cross has a page set up to help you find people you know who might be missing, and to report yourself as being safe. The page is at redcross.org/safeandwell . You can also find out how to help at showmeresponse.org .

Cell phone service has been called spotty at best, and most home phone service is down.

– NBC Action News