Joplin recovery

Joplin, Mo., native Walt “Ray” Goodman surveys what’s left of his parents’ home after a storm hit the community. (Matt Pearce / For The Times)

May 22, 2012 11:29 AM PT

A year after a tornado devastated Joplin, Mo., the city is trying to clear away the final remnants of damage caused by the storm.

Joplin, Mo., tornado: Taking in a tragedy

In the wake of a tornado that devastated Joplin, Mo., Walt “Ray” Goodman looks at the damage done to his parents’ home. He has taken on the task of preserving the house as a tribute to his father. (Matt Pearce / For The Times)

Joplin, Mo., tornado: Emotional memories

Yvonne Goodman and her son, Walt, recently visited her family’s former home, destroyed by a tornado that hit Joplin, Mo., a year ago. She shook her head at what she saw: windows boarded up, roof scalped away, some of the siding still splattered with mud. (Matt Pearce / For The Times)

A wall is raised on a Habitat for Humanity house in Joplin, Mo., being built to replace one that was destroyed a year ago after the town was hit by a catastrophic tornado. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)