Joplin Venue Serves As Hospital

The 2,712-capacity Joplin Memorial Hall has become a makeshift hospital following the devastating May 22 tornado in Joplin, Mo., that caused extensive damage to the city’s St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

It’s the city’s main entertainment venue. Approximately 180 patients were at St. John’s when the twister hit, according to Neosho Daily News.

It was completely evacuated with critical patients sent to Freeman, Mo., and almost all the others sent to the venue, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

A local high school also acted as a triage unit.

The tornado is the deadliest to hit the U.S. in 60 years with 117 known dead at press time. A spokeswoman for Joplin Memorial Hall was not available.

This year, the hall has hosted Third Day and Jeremy Camp, and its history includes Larry The Cable Guy, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney and Rodney Carrington.