Joplin's death toll up to 130 with as many still unaccounted for. Quite a few "first responder" units from here in East Central Missouri (St. Louis area) have been sent to Joplin. Not for rescue but recovery. Its been a violent spring and a much longer than typical winter.

My understanding is climate change causes radical weather patterns. Climate changes occuring at the polar ice caps are indicated in part by rising temperatures. 20 below zero instead of 50. The "warmer" air has pushed the jet stream further South mixing it's colder air with the more humid air mass from the South and West (an el nino effect I think). We have a cooler than usual summer forecast and expect next winter to be colder and possibly with more precipitation (snow, sleet) than is typical. Joplin isn't going to be unique in the future.

CB