Before and after: The photos that show the complete devastation caused by the worst tornado to hit the U.S. in 64 years


As the residents of devastated Joplin come to terms with the destruction caused by the deadliest tornado to hit the U.S. in 64 years, shocking photos show how much the storm has changed their city.



The images from before and after the deadly storm show how the working class city of around 50,000 people in Missouri was reduced to a disaster zone in a matter of minutes.

When it struck around dinner time Sunday night, the funnel cloud cut a path nearly six miles long and up to a mile wide.



Some 2,000 houses and many other businesses, schools and other buildings were destroyed.



‘Pretty much everybody in town knows somebody they've lost,’ Missouri governor Jay Nixon said.



It is the latest in a string of powerful storms this spring that have killed more than 300 people and caused more than $2 billion in property damage across the United States.



Joplin's tornado is thought to have caused insured losses of between $1 billion and $3 billion.

Devastated: Aerial photo shows 26th street, the main route through the centre of Joplin, Missouri. On the right is St Mary's elementary school



Housing: Whole residential neighbourhoods were destroyed by the powerful tornado when it went straight through the centre of the city that has has 50,000 people



Blown away: The remains of this apartment block surround what was once a swimming pool. Around 2,000 homes are thought to have been destroyed

Closed for business: The Home Depot do-it-yourself store was where many dead bodies have been recovered. Many of the shop shelves are still intact though



Grocery store: The city's Walmart superstore is barely recognisable in this photo from after Sunday's tornado that killed over 100 people



Shopping mall: This line of shops was severely damaged by the storm system when it struck on Sunday evening at around 6pm

