Austin Gibbs knew a storm was coming. But he had no idea the destruction that was going to accompany a tornado that would change the city of Joplin forever. What was a picture-perfect day turned violent May 22 as the deadliest single tornado in more than six decades cut a six-mile swath through the heart of Joplin. Gibbs, a 2010 Warrenton High School senior who had just completed his freshman year at Missouri Southern University in Joplin, was still on campus. Though he was fortunate the college campus was unscathed by the twister, many of the businesses and places he frequented around the city of nearly 50,000 residents were crumpled beyond recognition. Gibbs, who was in his dorm room at the time of the tornado, was about one to two miles away from the twister’s path, he said. “I don’t usually get very emotional, but it’s devastating,” he said. “So many of my friends lost their jobs and their homes. At the same time, I can’t imagine what they are going through.” The twister was classified as an EF-5 and packed winds of more than 200 mph. At least 120 people were killed and more than 900 were injured. As of Tuesday, 10 people were still unaccounted for and remain missing. It’s not known how many people in all died in the storm. An estimated 8,000 structures were destroyed, including Joplin High School and St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Gibbs, who returned to Warrenton over the weekend, saw the damage up close for the first time last Thursday. “The pictures don’t do it justice,” he said. “It’s so horrible.” From his dorm room window, Gibbs couldn’t see the hardest hit areas of the city. Soon after he got online and learned from his brother who lived 50 minutes away about what had just transpired. Though the tornado knocked out phone service and made cell phone connections unreliable, Gibbs was fortunate that his Internet connection was still working. He was able to post a message on Facebook stating he was unharmed and safe. “It definitely was a relief” to get in touch with family and friends, Gibbs said. “My mom was extremely worried.” A fellow college student of Gibbs was at a retail store when the tornado hit and related his horrifying experience taking cover surrounded by strangers as the twister swept through the city. “He said it was the most terrifying experience of his life,” Gibbs said. “He said the screams…he can still hear them.” While Gibbs was supposed to be spending his time waiting for summer school to start, he has instead been living next to first responders who have been lodged in the college’s dorm rooms. Gibbs also has kept busy volunteering and helping his college community any way he can. Immediately after the tornado, he helped set up cots and computer stations at a shelter that was opened on campus. During the week, he performed data entry tasks so first responders could utilize 10,000 volunteers ready to assist in the cleanup. Being close to those who have been directly affected by the twister has been inspiring for Gibbs. “I really have to commend the victims,” he remarked. “They are not taking anything for granted. They are happy to be alive. They are keeping their heads high.” While many local residents and organizations have announced they will be volunteering or donating supplies as part of the relief and cleanup effort, Gibbs is encouraging everyone to get involved in some way and to do so over the long haul as the city rebuilds. “It will be a really long process,” Gibbs said. “It will take several months, a year to build from this tragedy. “I count my blessings. (My friends) were lucky to come out alive.”