Netflix’sbrand-new documentary,The Twister: Caught in the Storm, captures the true story of the category EF5 tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, in 2011. There have been a number of tornado movies over the years, includingTwisterandTwisters, the 1996 original and the 2024 sequel/spin-off that both depict fictionalized but action-packed storms. There are also a host of otherpopular disaster movies, fromArmageddontoThe Impossible, and many in between.
Some of these movies are based on or at least inspired by true stories, but there are just as many that are entirely fabricated, likeDon’t Look Upor2012. Disaster movies tend to be captivating whether they are based on a true story or not, although there is something especially compelling about documentaries that depict the real-life ramifications of natural disasters.The Twister: Caught in the Stormis one such documentary, as it captures the sheer magnitude of this EF5 tornado,including the immense cost of the damage and the extent of the destruction.
Joplin’s EF5 Was The Costliest Tornado In US History
This Tornado Did An Astonishing Amount Of Damage
The Twister: Caught in the Stormdepicts in great detail just how devastating this tornado was. Miles of damage are shown throughout the documentary, with houses, schools, buildings, trees, and everything else that was in the tornado’s path simply torn apart or no longer left standing at all. In addition tothe number of deaths from the Joplin tornado,there was considerable cost associated with the damage this tornado caused. In fact, the 2011 Joplin tornado remains the costliest tornado on record in the United States.
The 2011 Joplin tornado remains the costliest tornado on record in the United States.
The destruction from the Joplin tornado cost an estimated $2.8 billion, although when adjusted for inflation, it’s estimated to be approximately $3.7 billion today. There were also significant insurance payouts for homeowners and car owners, with residents submitting upwards of 19,000 insurance claims in the 12 months following the tornado. Those payouts are also estimated to be in the $2 billion range. With an estimated 3 million cubic yards of debris, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of deaths, the destruction of this tornado was staggering.
Where To Watch Twisters: Showtimes & Streaming Status
Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones' Twister sequel is here, and there are different options for where to watch Twisters in theaters or on streaming.
How Many Buildings & Homes Were Damaged During The Joplin Tornado In 2011
Many Homes Weren’t Just Damaged—They Were Destroyed
Buildings, be they businesses or homes, were devastated by the Joplin tornado. An estimated 553 buildings were either damaged or destroyed during the storm. While that number is heartrending enough, the number of houses impacted by the Joplin tornado exceeds that by a wide margin.The total number of homes impacted by the 2011 Joplin tornado is estimated to be 8,264.
Of those, approximately 3,884 were seriously damaged, and 4,380 were entirely destroyed. It was apparent inThe Twister: Caught in the Stormthat the loss of life and property and the impact on the community was immense. However, the documentary made it clear that cleanup efforts, community support, and outreach from beyond Joplin also played a major and meaningful role.The Twister: Caught in the Stormwas a harrowing representation of how devastating this EF5 tornado in Joplin was, but it was also a story of humanity, compassion, and resilience.
