The Joplin tornado, despite the controversy (which was based on an engineering survey team who had NO meteorological background or understanding of the EF scale, tornado damage hallmarks in general, or how tornadoes affect structures, and is essentially a load of crap that should be completely ignored) DID produce legitimate EF5 damage. However, most of it was done to St. John's Medical Center (pic 1), a very large multi-floor structure, which sustained deformation of its concrete frame, with unrepairable damage to its underpinning system and foundation, leaving it structurally compromised to the point where it needed to be torn down. That is
remarkable damage and I think many don't understand how insane that is. It's the most extreme damage to a high-rise building I've ever heard of. Yes, even more impressive than Lubbock 1970. A nearby, very well-built two story medical office building (pics 2 and 3) had it's entire second floor vanish, and was essentially stripped down to it's internal frame and structure on the first floor, with twisting of the main support beams and total structural collapse in some areas. A reinforced concrete step and floor structure leading to this building was also deformed and cracked. Both of these structures sustained EF5 damage, just not in the typical "homes swept away" way that most of us picture when it comes to EF5 damage.
In addition, the Joplin tornado DID produce genuine EF5 damage to a few houses as well, contrary to popular belief. The best example was this one, which was again near St. John's Medical Center. It was well-built, and anchor bolted to a poured concrete basement foundation. One of the concrete basement walls was actually
blown outward. Keep in mind that this was poured concrete, not your typical cinder-block construction basement wall which can fail rather easily. It takes an unbelievable amount of force to crack and collapse a poured concrete basement wall. Remarkable.
So in summary, yes the Joplin tornado caused genuine EF5 damage, and its not really debatable.