The Twister: Caught in the Storm was released on Netflix on March 19, 2025. The Twister: Caught in the Storm is a docudrama from Director-writer Alexandra Lacey. The Twister: Caught in the Storm tells the tale of traumatized victims of the deadly Joplin Tornado that took place in May 2011. Since it is a documentary, The Twister: Caught in the Storm is a true story based on the accounts of multiple victims of a rare EF5-mile-wide tornado that ravaged the town of Joplin in Missouri. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop assumes that you have already watched the documentary on Netf;lix and wondering about The Twister: Caught in the Storm Real Story and especially about the US cities that come under the infamous 'tornado alley'.
The Twister: Caught in the Storm Real Story: What is tornado alley?
The Twister: Caught in the Storm has showcased a map of the US in which it has pointed out cities that fall under Tornado Alley. For those who are unware, certain regions of the U.S. are known for particular kinds of weather. The Pacific Northwest is known for its rain, the South for its humidity and the Northeast for its cold winters. In the United States, one of these regions known for its frequent tornadoes is called Tornado Alley.
Areas in the Central US where tornadoes are most frequent come under tornado alley. Below is a list of cities that fall under Tornado Alley as mentioned the Netflix documentary-
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
Several other states such as Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and Ohio are sometimes included in the Tornado Alley region due to the increased factors that are favorable to the creation of these dangerous storms.
Some of the major cities most frequently hit by tornadoes include:
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
The official synopsis of the The Twister: Caught in the Storm reads, "Set against a backdrop of end of the world predictions on May 22, 2011, this coming-of-age documentary is told from the perspective of a group of young people in Joplin, Missouri, as they encounter the extreme power of mother nature when a rare EF-5 monster mile-wide tornado hits their hometown, on high school graduation day. In the fierce 200 mph winds of the twister, they discover the power of their resilience as they fight for survival - each with transformative stories spurred by their experiences of that day. This catastrophic event ravaged Joplin and yet it overcame, rebuilt, and became an enduring symbol of hope."
What happened in Joplin in May 2011?
In May 2011, a massive tornado wreaked havoc in Joplin, Missouri. The EF5 Tornado damaged nearly 8,000 buildings and destroyed over 4,000. This included one of Joplin's two hospitals and much of its infrastructure, including homes and schools. In the massive tornado, there were a total of 158 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. It took years for Joplin to recover to what it once was, with a state of emergency declared in the area to recover and rebuild it.
However, after the city stood on its feet, Joplin became "an enduring symbol of hope".