Joplin Tornado

Death Toll over 130 

Residents begin digging through the rubble of their home after it was destroyed by a tornado that hit Joplin, Mo. on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011. The tornado tore a path a mile wide and four miles long destroying homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Mike Gullett)  

Joplin SDA Church

"Jay Nixon: We still believe there are folks alive under the rubble, and we're trying hard to reach them.."  

The Joplin, Mo tornado now ranks among the ten deadliest tornadoes of all time, however the search for survivors is long from over.  

At least 17 people have been pulled from the rubble safely and there's no telling how many more are still buried.  

On Sunday, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard after a three-quarter mile wide tornado destroyed his town. On Monday, the governor said, "we still believe there are folks alive under the rubble, and we're trying hard to reach them." 

As of early Tuesday morning, the death toll stood at 116, although search and rescue teams are holding out hope that they can find more survivors.  

The Joplin, Mo tornado not only ranks in the top 10 of deadliest U.S. tornadoes, but it also holds the dubious distinction of being the deadliest since 1953.