Tornado-Damaged Joplin, From Above

The death toll in Joplin, Missouri, has now topped 118, making Sunday's catastrophe the single deadliest tornado recorded in the United States since modern record keeping began 60 years ago. Rescuers continue their work despite hazardous conditions on the ground and the threat of major storms later this afternoon. Earlier today, AP Photographer Charlie Riedel took a trip in a helicopter to capture images of Joplin's devastated landscape from above. In these photos, the scale of the impact becomes clear, as the nearly mile-wide path of the tornado can be clearly seen curving through several neighborhoods, as can the destroyed hospital and high school. The American Red Cross has set up a number of shelters in the area and is taking donations. Those interested in contributing can either text REDCROSS to 90999 (for a $10 donation) or visit the Red Cross website.

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