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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Liam Buckler

Missouri tornadoes: Multiple killed with scores missing as massive twisters wreak havoc

Multiple people have been killed and left injured with hundreds more missing as a massive tornado struck Missouri.

The devastating tornado hit Glenallen, Missouri, US and caused significant damage on Wednesday morning.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott confirmed power lines were down, roofs were torn off and cars were left upside down.

He said: "The whole area has a lot of trees down, power lines down, a lot of roofs off, a lot of trailers destroyed. It’s a pretty rough area."

The exact number of causalities, according to authorities, is unknown at this stage.

Have you been affected by the tornadoes? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk

The devastating tornado struck on Wednesday morning (Twitter)

However, multiple roads across Missouri have been closed and shut off following the loose debris which is causing havoc for motorists.

Authorities confirmed crews are conducting searches in the debris to make sure everyone is safe.

Mr Parrott added: “This is an active search and rescue event."

At least 52 people have died since March 25 (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Buildings were left damaged, including some homes, leaving many residents devastated as they woke up to the debris.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a statement: "Patrol is on the scene assisting multiple agencies with search and rescue efforts. Please avoid the area and give first responders room to operate."

Cars were left abandoned following the storm (Twitter)

Fire services are currently attending each house to ensure residents are safe and to make sure nobody is trapped.

Mr Parrott said: "There are multiple people that have been displaced from their homes at this time.

"Just because of the debris field, trying to get around the county is proving to be a little bit difficult, and the fact that it's still nighttime."

Cars were left badly damaged following the storm (AP)

According to the storm centre, thunderstorms with damaging winds and heavy rain are expected to hit through Lower Michigan later on today.

In addition, more tornados are due to hit after nine were reported on Tuesday including two in Iowa and seven in Illinois.

The storm comes after residents were told to shelter on Tuesday evening in Illinois, US, after the tornado targeted southwest Wisconsin the night before with ice the size of 4-inch hail baseballs dropping.

According to local resident Paul Schmidt the hailstones hitting Illinois were the "worst hail I’ve ever heard in Davenport."

Over two million residents in central and northern Arkansas, southern Illinois, were issued a weather warning as the Little Rock Mayor urged people to stay vigilant.

He said in a statement: “It’s tough to think of the possibility of another round of severe weather in the midst of this recovery, but we must remain vigilant and prepared.

"Especially, in our already hard-hit neighbourhoods, please have a plan in place to stay save, and avoid staying overnight in damaged structures.”

A resident sits in front of their damaged home (AP)
The debris left after the tornado (Julio Cortez/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Texas, Wright, Howell, Ozark, Douglas county with wind speeds of 60mph expected until later this evening.

The storm centre said: "Thunderstorms forming along and ahead of two merging cold fronts will pose a threat for all severe hazards: wind, hail and tornado."

A blizzard warning was in effect for nearly all of North Dakota and most of South Dakota through at least Wednesday night. In Minnesota, a winter storm warning was in effect in the north.

In the city of Colona a petrol station's roof was ripped off after a 115mph tornado ripped through for less than a minute.

In addition, electricity lines were reported down and cars were seen flipped on their sides after the devastating tornado left millions of residents without power.

Tornadoes have killed many people (Twitter)

The tornado comes after 32 people were killed in Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri in the last week as 900,000 residents were left without power.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced a major disaster declaration to provide assistance to areas affected.

He said: "We stand ready to respond to any additional requests for federal assistance.

"There’s nothing we can do to heal the hole left in the hearts of far too many families who lost loved ones this weekend, but we will be there every step of the way as they rebuild and recover.”

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