At least 21 people are reported to have died after tornadoes tore through parts of two US states.
The Kentucky tornado struck in Laurel County, in the south-east of the state, in the early hours of Saturday.
St Louis Fire Department said three people had to be rescued after part of the nearby Centennial Christian Church collapsed.
St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said: “The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous.
The US National Weather Service said tornadoes also hit neighbouring Illinois, with more severe weather conditions stretching eastwards to the Atlantic coast.
Tornadoes ripped through parts of two US states, killing at least 21 people.
While seven people were killed in Missouri, including five in the city of St. Louis, officials in Kentucky reported that 14 people had died as a result of severe weather.
Early Saturday morning, Laurel County, in the southeast of the state, was the site of the Kentucky tornado. Authorities stated they anticipated a higher death toll.
A tornado struck Missouri on Friday, causing officials to report that 5,000 buildings had been damaged, roofs destroyed, and power lines knocked down.
The fire department said that house-by-house searches were carried out in the worst-affected areas of St. Louis, where about 100,000 properties were left without power.
According to Kentucky authorities, serious injuries were also reported. Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated on social media that “the search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors.”.
The tornado was reported to have struck just after 14:30 local time, according to National Weather Service radar, near Forest Park, which is the location of the 1904 Olympic Games and the St. Louis Zoo.
A portion of the nearby Centennial Christian Church collapsed, requiring the rescue of three people, according to the St. Louis Fire Department. Among them, one person passed away.
To minimize the risk of looting and prevent injuries from debris, a curfew was enforced in the two areas where the majority of the damage occurred from 21:00 to 6:00 local time.
Mayor of St. Louis Cara Spencer stated: “The death toll and the damage are absolutely terrible.
“In the upcoming days, we will have a lot of work to accomplish. There is no question about it, but tonight we are focused on preserving lives, ensuring everyone’s safety, and letting our community grieve. “.”.
The US National Weather Service reported that more severe weather conditions extended eastward to the Atlantic coast, with tornadoes also striking neighboring Illinois.
