Joplin twister decimation from the ground

Crews search for Betty Fisher, 86, in the wreckage that was once her home.

These images were provided by "Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge, who reported live from Joplin on May 24, 2011.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

One of the few trees left standing in a tornado-stricken area in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A view of the devastation along McClelland Boulevard in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

St. John's Regional Medical Center medi-vac helicopter on its side amid the destruction in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

The "Early Show" crew sets up to broadcast in Joplin, Mo., on May 24, 2011.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Cars piled up like toys in Joplin, Mo. St. John's Regional Medical Center, heavily damaged by the tornado, is seen in the background.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Old Glory still flies in the tornado debris.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Chris Wragge noted on "The Early Show" that one of the only things left standing on St. Mary's Catholic Church in Joplin, Mo., is its cross.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A car amidst the rubblr in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Co-anchor Chris Wragge wrote via his Twitpic account, "Mother Nature adding insult to injury...torrential rains in Joplin."

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

"Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge writes via his Twitpic account, "Cars crushed like tin cans."

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

St. John's Regional Medical Center medi-vac helicopter amid the destruction in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Overturned cars litter the landscape near St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A car crushed in the tornado is seen outside St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. The hospital and its surrounding area were heavily affected by the tornado's devastating blows.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A car flattened by the tornado that hit Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

St. John's Regional Medical Center medi-vac helicopter amid the destruction in Joplin, Mo.

The hospital was heavily damaged in the storms.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A children's playground desecrated in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Residents of Joplin, Mo. survey their neighborhood.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

"Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge notes via his Twitpic account, "All it took was 20 minutes to wipe out the lives that residents of Joplin have built here."

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Peoples belongings have become unrecognizable piles of debris, Wragge says.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Homes have lost their roofs, "Early Show" co-anchor Wragge reports from Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A neighborhood in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Piles of rubble cover the town of Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

The scene at a press briefing with the Missouri governor, the Joplin mayor and FEMA.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

People comb through the debris in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Inside the remains of a Joplin, Mo. home.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Piles of rubble cover the city of Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A tree is reduced to splinters following the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

Joplin residents sort through the debris surrounding what used to be their homes.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

"Early Show" co-anchor Wragge reported from Joplin, Mo., saying, "A family looks towards the future."

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge

A message is left on a smashed vehicle in Joplin, Mo.

Joplin Tornado: Images of Destruction
On the ground in Joplin, Mo.

Credit: CBS/Chris Wragge