a dark cloud filled with lots of dark clouds

Superstorm Survivors is a documentary series that honors the stories of those who lived through the May 22, 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. More than just a retelling of events, this series captures the raw emotions, strength, and resilience of everyday people whose lives were changed forever. Through powerful interviews and heartfelt memories, we aim to create a space for healing, remembrance, and connection, for our community, and for anyone who believes in the power of the human spirit.

alexandria burrows
producer

"This project was created with love and respect for our community. We want these stories to be heard"

about the project

meet the creators

xavier ruiz
director

"I want to empower survivors to share their stories, providing a platform for the many voices that need to be heard"

Alexandria is a natural storyteller with a powerful presence across social media, where she shares heartfelt content with tens of thousands of followers on both TikTok and YouTube. With a background in content creation, she plays a key role in connecting with survivors, building emotional momentum around the series, and finding creative ways to share these stories with the world.

Xavier is a Media Production student at Pittsburg State University, he has earned several awards for his storytelling and visual work. With a deep passion for documenting real stories, he’s responsible for the look and feel of the series, carefully crafting each shot, and making sure the technical aspects support the emotion behind every story.