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. [10 photos]

This aerial photograph shows a neighborhood destroyed by a powerful tornado in Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) 

 

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In this GOES East sattelite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a storm system is seen moments before spawning into a massive tornado which passed through Joplin, Missouri (center) on May 22, 2011. (NOAA/Getty Images) #

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The path of a powerful tornado is seen, curving from lower left, to right center, back to upper left, in Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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The path of a powerful tornado is seen in Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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Residents drive through wreckage in the path of the May 22nd 2011 tornado, seen in an aerial photo over Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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A neighborhood destroyed by a powerful tornado on Sunday, in Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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An apartment complex shattered by Sunday's powerful tornado, seen in an aerial view over Joplin, Missouri, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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The path of a powerful tornado is seen in Joplin, Missouri, Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #

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Rubble, damaged houses and trees lie strewn through a neighborhood destroyed by a powerful tornado, seen in an aerial photo taken over Joplin, Missouri, Tuesday, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) #