JOPLIN, Mo. -- The deadly tornado that struck here on Sunday killed 125 people as of the most recent count. In the days that followed, speculation was rampant as to how many people were missing after the tornado. Some media reports stated 1,500 people were missing.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety has been directed to keep track of missing persons following the tornado. At this time, there are 232 known people who are missing and have had reports filed with the state. Names have been released and the list of missing are posted here.
CNN reports deputy director Andrea Spillars led the press conference in announcing their findings. A 24-hour effort of combing through hospital reports, cell phone records, shelter counts and talking to family members has led to the number of missing persons. Over 60 members of the Department of Public Safety worked around the clock to check on family members who are still looking for someone in the aftermath of the deadly tornado.
If someone is found or known to have been found, the local number to call in Joplin is (417) 895-6868.
The temporary morgues are being processed as thoroughly as possible. DNA samples and tests, as well as talking to potential family members of the deceased, are being taken as seriously and deliberately as possible to ensure a correct match. They've been working on the process for 24 hours, and things should speed up now that they have more staff and resources with which to work.
Spillars reiterated the names on the official missing list will be used to help find those individuals. She also stated regular briefings will be held regarding the progress that is being made to find all the missing.
A reporter at the briefing asked whether or not there is any overlap between the number of deceased and the number of missing. Spillars did clarify that some of the missing may indeed simply be those who are dead but not yet identified due to the painstaking process used to make sure the names are place with the right families of the dead.
Technically, the maximum amount of dead will be 357. It depends upon how much overlap there exists between the two numbers of dead and missing. The death toll could go much higher than what was feared before.
To put the numbers in perspective, National Weather Service records state the second deadliest single tornado in the United States is 317 from back in 1840. The fourth deadliest on record is 216.
No matter how many missing turn into a list of dead persons, the tragedy in Joplin will be one of the worst in modern record-keeping.
William Browning lives in Branson, Mo.
