Authorities said a tornado that struck southeastern Missouri early on Wednesday resulted in at least five fatalities, five injuries, and sparked a frantic hunt for survivors in the rubble.
Late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, reports of tornadoes were made in regions of Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Severe storms also caused brief ground halt at important airports in Austin, Chicago, and Detroit.
The Missouri Highway Patrol tweeted that it was assisting local search and rescue organisations in Bollinger County, roughly 100 miles south of St. Louis, near the community of Glen Allen. Authorities said that twelve structures were demolished and dozens more were damaged.
“The damage is rather extensive. The Missouri Highway Patrol’s Sgt. Clark Parrott described it as “simply horrible to behold.” To get to homes, he added, crews had to clear bush and trees with chainsaws.
He noted that as workers sort through the wreckage of residences, the death toll might increase.
Gov. Michael Parson of Missouri said President Joseph Biden called to assure him of federal assistance as he toured the storm damage area.
According to a post on the Facebook page of the Bollinger County Sheriff’s Office, the twister significantly damaged the area around Glen Allen and the nearby little rural village of Grassy. Graham said that until the relatives of the deceased were informed, he would conceal the names of the deceased.
