Joplin, Mo (KSDK) -- The rebuilding is well underway in Joplin, Missouri, but there is still a long way to go nearly a year after the EF-5 tornado struck in the town.
A park gives you a pretty good picture of the state of Joplin. Right after the tornado hit, the park was littered with dozens of downed trees and dozens of crushed cars that the storm tossed around like toys.
It is better than it was before the storm hit. There are new playgrounds, a new water park and new memorials.
But just across the street, stands the remains of St. John's Hospital. Demolition to the hospital is still ongoing.
Just up the hill, is a neighborhood that was wiped off the map by the tornado, but a few families have already rebuilt and several more are in the process of rebuilding.
More than 7,000 apartments and homes were destroyed in the tornado.
Joplin has issued building permits for more than 60-percent of those 7,000. City officials consider that to be a good pace.
The city estimates more than a quarter of a million people have come to Joplin to volunteer to help.
KSDK