Here's why you should get underground if at all possible if a tornado nears

This is footage of the waiting room at St. John's Hospital in Joplin on May 22, 2011. It was posted on the Joplin Globe's web site.....

It's jaw-dropping...

This is why all tornado warnings should be taken seriously

This video captures the formation and growth of the Joplin tornado. As you will be able to see, it goes from a harmless-looking rope to a massive wedge within a minute or two.

The Hoisington tornado in 2001 was like that, too; touchdown to monster in moments.

An update on Joplin

The death toll is at 122...making it the deadliest tornado since 1950. The tornado was rated an EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the top category on the scale.

When you see this video, it's easy to understand why. That level of destruction reminds me of what I saw in Greensburg and Andover. So often when folks say someplace is "gone" after a tornado went through, it's heat-of-the-moment hyperbole.

But not this time.

The Weather Channel reporter breaks down on camera during this report, and I don't blame him.

the Joplin tornado

A massive tornado has devastated Joplin tonight. The death toll is 24, and likely to climb higher. A Red Cross official has estimated 75% of the city has been damaged or destroyed.

Here's a video of the tornado, and you can tell it's a massive tornado: