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A devastating tornado hit southeastern Missouri Wednesday morning, killing at least five people and leaving widespread destruction as officials warned of more tornadoes.
The tornado hit Bollinger County before dawn, and first responders frantically searched for injured people trapped under the rubble. officials said.
Bollinger County Sheriff Casey A. Graham said in a statement: “It is with great regret that we were able to confirm five fatalities.”
Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott told NBC News earlier in the afternoon that officials hoped the death toll would not rise.
“The damage is pretty widespread. It’s just heartbreaking to see it,” he said.
The tornado traversed rural Bollinger County south of St. Louis at a speed of about 45 mph for about 15 minutes between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m., said National Weather Service meteorologist David Witten. increase.
The agency said the tornado looks like a high-end EF2 and has an estimated maximum wind speed of 130 mph.
“Considering the extent of the damage, it was significant,” Witten said, adding, “It looks serious and bad.”
Missouri Highway Patrol Superintendent Eric Olson said a preliminary assessment found 87 buildings were damaged, 12 of them destroyed.
Five people were also injured in bad weather.
Joshua Wells, 30, of Glen Allen, said he couldn’t sleep all night because he was afraid a tornado was coming to shake his community.
His house was badly damaged, but he considered himself one of the lucky ones.
“It was hell,” said Wells. “Part of the roof has been blown off and part of the exterior wall is slightly dented, so it’s not very livable. But it’s not the worst housing. There’s also a building. To the Foundation.”
the highway patrol It has urged people to avoid the area as first responders are working to find injured survivors.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center said parts of the Ohio River Basin could see severe weather Wednesday night.
Other states, including Illinois and Iowa, also reported severe weather Tuesday night.
The tornado, which traversed 15 miles across southern Iowa on Tuesday, was recorded as a high-end EF-1, with maximum winds of 110 miles per hour and a maximum width of half a football field, according to the National Weather Service.
Multiple buildings were damaged, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.
At least 478 tornadoes have been reported in 25 states so far this year, doubling the average so far this year.
These twisters are associated with at least 63 deaths, not including multiple deaths in southeastern Missouri. His annual average of tornado-related deaths is 71.
These twisters are associated with at least 63 deaths, not including multiple deaths in southeastern Missouri. His annual average of tornado-related deaths is 71.
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