It was May 22, on a Sunday in 2011 when the town of Joplin, Missouri faced a destruction they would never forget. The population of just over 50,000 residents held onto dear life as an EF5 tornado plowed through their community. Horrific winds gusting of around 200 mph sadly claimed the lives of 161 people and injured another 1,150. Over 900 homes were demolished. People stated that the entire place looked like a war zone. What was the estimated damage created by this haunting nightmare? A shocking $3 billion!

Even though with so much destruction, countless homes were spared. It wasn’t long after the storm’s passing that tales of beautiful winged beings started to emerge. Children began describing creatures that looked like humans with wings of butterflies. The children claimed that these unearthly beings hovered over their homes as they witnessed the tornado whirling past them. It was thought that these beings served as protection from the storm. The town affectionately called them The Butterfly People. However, to many residents, they believe these creatures simply as guardian angels.

Below is a mural titled, “The Butterfly Effect” painted by artist, Dave Loewenstein.