Survival Mode Episode 1: Joplin Tornado revisits the deadly 2011 tornado in Missouri - find out key details from the latest NBC docuseries

NBC's latest series, Survival Mode, recently debuted with its first episode, which revisits the deadly 2011 Missouri tornado, which took no more than 30 minutes to turn into the deadliest disaster that the state had seen in 60 years.

The series aims to give the viewers an inside look at these tragedies they hear about by bringing in the facts, recounting the aftermath, and presenting a first-hand account from those who've survived these disasters. The show's synopsis reads:

"Survival Mode follows everyday people through the most harrowing moments of their lives, when every split second decision can mean the difference between life and death. Each episode reveals the unforgettable stories of friends, families and first responders who suddenly find themselves in the midst of a terrifying disaster, and must find the strength and presence of mind to persevere."

Here are a few key details the Survival Mode episode one revealed about the 2011 Missouri tornado.

Survival Mode, Episode 1: Key details about the deadly 2011 Missouri Tornado

The docuseries Survival Mode debuted with its first episode on July 7 on NBC and gives an inside look at the disaster. The tornado hit Joplin, a small city in Missouri. The city only had a population of 50,000, and even this low number ended up with a record number when it came to casualties, along with several miles of property destroyed, by the end of this disaster.

The episode gets right into the tragedy after the survivors talk about their city's beauty and peacefulness. The episode reveals that the city was established in 1873 and gained some wealth due to zinc mining. The city had to face the tornado on May 22, 2011. The episode revealed that the National Weather Service informed the inhabitants about the incoming tornado, and sirens were going off intensely.

The inhabitants of the city failed to gauge the exact magnitude of the tornado and take necessary precautions, leading to the city suffering a record number of deaths. The episode revealed that the tornado was of EF5 magnitude, the highest on the scale. The episode also records first-hand accounts from the survivors and creates some drama to reveal whether some of their loved ones survived.

The Survival Mode episode revealed that the 2011 Missouri tornado was the deadliest to occur in the entirety of the United States since 1953. The tornado resulted in 161 casualties and thousands of injuries. In the aftermath of the tornado, the governor requested national aid, which led to President Obama mobilizing the National Guard for search and rescue efforts.

The survivors of the tornado reveal their first-hand account of the tornado, but their accounts emphasize how surviving the tornado was not what defined their lives. They survived to figure out how to move forward from that disaster and build a life full of hope and love.

The NBC show has nine episodes covering nine devastating tragedies, proving that the will to live can triumph over extraordinary circumstances.

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