A Joplin woman whose husband and two children were killed in the May 2011 tornado that destroyed much of the community is suing the big-box store where they died.

Edie Howard Housel's federal wrongful death suit claims her husband, Russell Howard, and their two children were directed to the Home Depot's training room by an employee as the EF-5 bore down on the business.

Before Howard, his 5-year-old daughter and 19-month-old son could get there, the storm ripped off the store's roof and 63 of the building's tilt-up concrete walls fell. The Howards and five others, including the employee, died.

The Joplin Globereports Home Depot's lawyers contend the tornado packing 200 mph winds was an act of God and that the defendants were not liable for the deaths.

Over One Hundred Dead As Major Tornado Devastates Joplin, Missouri
Julie Denesha, Getty Images
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