One hundred sixty-one people were killed in the Joplin tornado. The May 2011 Joplin tornado left behind almost $3 billion in damage, making it the costliest U.S. tornado on record. "Tornadoes are a big problem in the United States," said Anne Cope, chief engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Based on estimated wind speeds and damage, tornadoes can range on a scale from EF0 to EF5. "The reality is, is that all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, receive tornadoes."

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Persons: Troy Bolander, Ann Leach, Ann, Troy, Anne Cope, Cope, Joplin, Leach, Victor Gensini, Gensini Organizations: Joplin, Insurance Institute for Business & Home, of Commerce, Resilience Victoria, Department of, Northern Illinois University Locations: Joplin , Missouri, Kansas, Joplin, Troy, United States, U.S, Plains, Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, Midwest, Mississippi, Memphis, Indianapolis, Nashville