Missouri, Joplin | featured news

Obama sees the devastation and recovery struggle in Joplin and promises people that 'the country will be there with you every single step of the way.' After walking through chillingly empty vistas of twisted rubble and shards of homes, President Obama drew wild cheers from this conservative town when he pledged to help rebuild from last week's crippling tornado.

17 people have been rescued from the rubble left by Sunday's tornado, but officials say efforts will continue throughout the day: 'We hope to find more folks.' The death toll from the tornado that crushed Joplin has risen to 117, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said on Tuesday, making it the deadliest such event in the U.S. since 1953.

Tornadoes tore through parts of the U.S. Midwest on Sunday, killing at least 30 people in the Missouri town of Joplin and causing one death in Minneapolis as well as causing extensive property damage.