This weekend, a massive tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, devastating yet another Midwest town with vicious winds. At least 90 people are dead and some 2,000 structures are no longer standing.

Residents received a 24-minute warning that a tornado was headed toward the city, giving many a few precious moments to gather children and run for safety. When the tornado struck, it caused what officials are estimating to be a path of damage through Joplin that was a mile wide and four miles long, with wind speeds reaching 166 miles per hour.

As much as 30 percent of the town was damaged, including more than 2,000 buildings, among them a nursing home and several schools, firehouses and large stores, including a Wal-Mart and a Home Depot. Water treatment and sewage plants were also hit by high winds, and authorities cautioned residents to boil water.

It was the deadliest tornado to hit the United States in more than 50 years. (video above also via this Telegraph article)

Officials said the last twister to cause such loss of life in the US occurred in 1953 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and killed 90 people.

The Joplin tornado was one of 68 reported across seven Midwest states over the weekend, from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. An outbreak of twisters killed more than 300 people and caused more than $2 billion (£1.24 billion) in damage to the US South last month.

For more info and media related to the twister, visit Mashable, the Weather Channel and The Lede.

And for those affected, the Insurance Information Institute has some good advice on how to get your tornado insurance claims paid quickly.

The I.I.I. offers the following advice to speed the insurance claims settlement process following a tornado:

• Be prepared to give your agent or insurance company representative a detailed description of the damage to your property. Your agent will report the loss to your insurance company or to a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible in order to arrange an inspection of the site.
• If it is safe to access the area, take photographs of the damaged property. Visual documentation will help with the claims process and can assist the adjuster in the investigation.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Make two copies—one for yourself and one for the adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase and estimated replacement cost.
• Collect canceled checks, invoices, receipts or other papers that will assist the adjuster in obtaining the value of the destroyed property.
• Make whatever temporary repairs you can. Cover broken windows and damaged roofs and walls to prevent further destruction. Save the receipts for any supplies and materials you purchase as your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred by making temporary repairs.
• Secure a detailed estimate for permanent repairs to your home or business from a licensed contractor and give it to the adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs and replacement prices.
• If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while repairs are being made, keep a record of all expenses, such as hotel and restaurant receipts.