Flattened and flooded: Tornadoes rip through Missouri, killing three, as heavy rains flood rivers in Oklahoma causing two runaway barges to be swallowed by dam
- A devastating tornado ripped through Jefferson City in Missouri overnight - leaving a trail of destruction
- Shocking drone footage shows buildings torn apart and belongings scattered across the road
- Twenty people were rescued by emergency personnel in Jefferson City, according to Police Lt. David Williams
- Three people were killed in Golden City overnight - a married couple in their 80s and a woman in her 50s
- The series of tornadoes - more than 90 this week - have battered the Heartlands along with flash floods
- As the weather continues to plague the Midwest, flood warnings remain in effect for much of Oklahoma
More flash flooding is set to hit Oklahoma as violent weather continues to wreak havoc across the Midwest - hours after a tornado tore through Jefferson City in Missouri Wednesday night leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Three people were killed in Golden City in Missouri overnight - a married couple in their 80s and a woman in her 50s - while flooded rivers in Oklahoma sparked two runaway barges and wiped out yet more homes.
Shocking drone footage shows the aftermath of the storms with buildings torn open and belongings scattered across the streets. More than 90 twisters have hit the Heartland this week, prompting President Trump to pledge his support to the state on Twitter Thursday afternoon.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed 86-year-old Kenneth Harris and 83-year-old Opal Harris died in the storm that hit overnight. The couple were found 200 yards from their residence in Golden City, southwest Missouri.
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Jefferson City, Missouri: A tornado tore apart buildings in Missouri's capital city as part of an overnight outbreak of severe weather
Carnage: A wrecked home in examined by emergency responders. The tornado that tore through Jefferson City overnight has been given a maximum rating of an EF-3, the National Weather Service says
A flipped-over semi truck rests in the parking lot of a motel Thursday, May 23 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City
Chase Burgoon stands in his front yard as water approaches in the Meadow Valley neighborhood of Sand Springs, Oklahoma on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Chase was getting items from the home
David Freeman makes his way through his front yard in Sperry, Oklahoma on Thursday, May 23, 2019
Damaged homes near the intersection of Marshall Street and East Capitol Ave in Jefferson City, Missouri are pictured Thursday
Both cars and homes were destroyed in the devastating tornado that hit Jefferson City on Thursday night
Chaos: Flooded rivers in Oklahoma sparked two runaway barges - while dozens of homes were ruined by water
Friends and family of the owners of Campus Coworking move tables out of the co-working space on Capitol Ave in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 23
Damaged playground equipment at Community Christian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, is pictured following the storm
A damaged car with a piece of wood smashed through the windscreen is seen parked on Woodlawn Avenue in Jefferson City Thursday
Jessica Rodgers and a neighbor Ray Arellana carry a stroller carrying Rodgers' sister Sophia Rodgers over downed power lines as they head to Rodgers' mother's apartment to check on damage Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City
Donald Trump pledged his support, alongside Governor Mike Parson, following the devastating floods plaguing the region
Meanwhile, Betty Berg, 56, was found dead amid debris just outside her mobile home in the 800 block of E State Route 126 in Golden City. Her husband, Mark Berg, 56, suffered serious injuries.
The storm also ripped a roof off a fertilizer plant in the area, prompting a precautionary evacuation of 1-mile radius because of a possible chemical leak.
As the catastrophic weather conditions continue to plague the Midwest, flood warnings remain in effect for much of Oklahoma, with more than nine inches of rainfall since Sunday after an already extremely wet spring.
The deaths of the elderly couple comes after a husband and wife were tragically killed in a traffic accident on Tuesday. An SUV skidded across the center of U.S. 160 in Springfield and struck a tractor-trailer, claiming the lives of Brandon Beasley, 23, and Christin, 24 of Willard, Missouri.
More than 80 people are staying in shelters in central Missouri after tornadoes ripped through the region.
Tornadoes caused significant damage overnight in Missouri's capital city of Jefferson City and in Eldon, a town of about 4,900 residents around 30 miles southwest.
The severe weather moved in from Oklahoma, where rescuers struggled to pull people from high water.
Near Crescent, about 34 miles north of Oklahoma City, erosion left several homes hanging over the swollen Cimarron River. One unoccupied home rolled into the river, and authorities said others could collapse.
In Arkansas, forecasters issued flood warnings along the Arkansas River because of the expected rush of water coming from Oklahoma.
Jefferson City's damage spanned about a 3-mile area, said Police Lt. David Williams. About 20 people were rescued by emergency personnel, and although there were no reports of missing people, authorities planned door-to-door checks Thursday, he said.
The weather service reported that a 'confirmed large and destructive tornado' was observed over Jefferson City at 11.43pm Wednesday, moving northeast at 40 mph. The capital city has a population of about 40,000 and is located about 130 miles west of St. Louis. 'It's a chaotic situation right now,' Williams said.
Carey Riley looks over damaged cars at a Toyota dealership he owns with his two brothers Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City, Missouri late Wednesday
Vehicles damaged by a tornado sit in the parking lot of the Missouri Department of Social Services building on Flora Drive on Thursday morning
Vehicles damaged by a tornado sit in the parking lot of the Missouri Department of Social Services building on Flora Drive on Thursday morning
This shocking drone footage has revealed the devastation caused by a monster tornado which ripped through Jefferson City in Missouri - leaving a massive trail of destruction. As the catastrophic weather conditions continue to plague the Midwest, flood warnings remain in effect for much of Oklahoma, with more than nine inches of rain fall since Sunday after an already extremely wet spring. The damage left behind by the twister is seen from above in Jefferson City on Thursday morning
Homes destroyed: A relentless barrage of violent weather in the central United States left three people dead. Houses were ripped apart with roofs torn away amid the devastating winds that struck Jefferson City in Missouri overnight Wednesday
Destruction: Buildings are seen torn open and belongings scattered across the road following the series of tornadoes which have battered the Heartland along with flash flooding ruining homes and livelihoods. The damage left behind by the twister is pictured above in Jefferson City on Thursday morning
This map shows the location and number of tornadoes to hit the Midwest in the past 48 hours. No deaths have been reported in Jefferson City, but the tornado was part of a multi-day severe weather outbreak in the Plains and Midwest that has killed at least eight people and caused extensive flooding
Williams spoke from the Cole County Sheriff's office, where debris including insulation, roofing shingles and metal pieces lay on the ground outside the front doors. Authorities discouraged people from beginning clean-up efforts until power is safely restored. Hospitals set up command centers if needed.
Missouri Public Safety tweeted that more tornadoes and flash flooding were possible.
Austin Thomson, 25, was in the laundry room of his complex of two-story apartment buildings in Jefferson City and noticed the wind started picking up. He saw sheets of rain coming down and a flagpole bend and then slam to the ground. The windows broke and he dove behind the washers and dryers.
After it calmed down, he walked outside to check the damage, and retrieved a stuffed animal for his daughter from his damaged apartment. 'There's basically one building that's basically one story now,' he said.
One tornado skirted just a few miles north of Joplin, Missouri, on the eighth anniversary of a catastrophic tornado that killed 161 people in the city. The tornado caused some damage in the town of Carl Junction, about 4 miles north of the Joplin airport, where several injuries were reported.
Chaos: The aftermath of the destruction on a highway leading to Jefferson City taken on Thursday is shown from above
Before and after: A birds-eye view of the destruction caused by the tornado which has ripped through the Midwest
Before and after: The Midwest has been hammered by scores of tornadoes and heavy storms in recent days, leaving at least seven dead and a trail of damage from the high winds and flooding. And forecasters warned of more severe weather through Friday. A home in Jefferson City is pictured damaged following the powerful twisters
Before and after: A home in Jefferson City is totally destroyed following the powerful twisters on Wednesday night. The tornado here struck hours after a twister roared through the rural hamlet of Golden City, 170 southwest of here, killing three people. Amazingly, no fatalities were reported in Jefferson City, the state's capital and home to more than 40,000 people
Trucks and mobile homes were destroyed in the savage winds that hit Jefferson City in Missouri yesterday
A worker walks past tornado-damaged Toyotas at a dealership in Jefferson City, Mo., Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though late Wednesday
The severe weather was expected to continue Thursday as the storms head east.
Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center say parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic could see tornadoes, large hail and strong winds.
Forecasters say the area most at risk for bad weather Thursday includes Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Authorities urged residents of several small towns in Oklahoma and Kansas to leave their homes as rivers and streams rose.
Two barges broke loose and floated swiftly down the swollen Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma, spreading alarm downstream as they hit a dam.
A posting on the official Facebook page of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, said the runaway barges posed a dire threat to the river town's 600 residents: 'Evacuate Webbers Falls immediately. The barges are loose and has the potential to hit the lock and dam 16. If the dam breaks, it will be catastrophic!! Leave now!!'
Jefferson City's damage spanned about a 3-mile area, said Police Lt. David Williams. About 20 people were rescued by emergency personnel, and although there were no reports of missing people, authorities planned door-to-door checks Thursday, he said
Jefferson City's damage spanned about a 3-mile area, said Police Lt. David Williams. About 20 people were rescued by emergency personnel, and although there were no reports of missing people, authorities planned door-to-door checks Thursday, he said. A home is pictured in ruins following the storms overnight
Authorities located the barges Thursday morning, stuck on rocks in the swollen river. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the barges were still tied together, and crews were working to secure them.
Still, the Interstate 40 bridge and a state highway bridge remain closed over the Arkansas River at Webbers Falls as a precaution, according to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Over Memorial Day weekend in 2002, a barge struck the Interstate 40 bridge pier at Webbers Falls, causing part of the bridge to collapse into the Arkansas River. Fourteen people died after their vehicles plunged into the water.
A National Weather Service meteorologist said: 'As of this morning, the main parts of the storms have pushed eastward, thank goodness,' leaving the region to deal with just another expected two inches of rain through Friday.
However, Missouri Public Safety tweeted that there was a possibility of more tornadoes and flash flooding.
First responders warned that 'flash flooding hazards will expand as rain continues'. There have also been numerous reports of gas odors.
Floodwaters cover a stretch of road in the Indian Springs Country Club in Broken Arrow Oklahoma
A worker walks past tornado-damaged Toyotas at a dealership in Jefferson City, Missouri on Thursday morning after the previous night's tornado which ripped through the city
More destruction in Jefferson City, Missouri. This property had its roof ripped off by the tornado overnight on Wednesday
More destruction in Jefferson City, Missouri. This property had its roof ripped off by the tornado overnight on Wednesday
Williams spoke from the Cole County Sheriff's office, where debris including insulation, roofing shingles and metal pieces lay on the ground outside the front doors. Authorities discouraged people from beginning clean-up efforts until power is safely restored. Hospitals set up command centers if needed (Jefferson City on Thursday)
The weather service said it had received 22 reports of tornadoes by late Wednesday; some could be duplicate reporting of the same twister
Drone footage captures the wreckage of a building destroyed by a tornado in Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday night
Missouri Governor Mike Parson tweeted late Wednesday night: 'We're doing okay but praying for those that were caught in damage, some are still trapped - local emergency crews are on site and assisting.
Parson said first responders will 'continue to monitor and assist throughout the severe storms lasting until morning. Stay safe and alert!'
Numerous power lines have been downed in Jefferson City and there's debris in the streets that includes large pieces of wood and concrete.
New Toyotas are piled up at a dealership in Jefferson City, Missouri, Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City late Wednesday
Storm damage off Ellis Bvld in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 23, 2019
Damaged playground equipment at Community Christian Church in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 23
More devastation from Jefferson City in Missouri where a powerful tornado stuck overnight Wednesday, wreaking havoc
Storm: Heavy winds rips the roof from a building in Jefferson City, as drone footage captures the devastation on Thursday
Missouri Public Safety tweeted that more tornadoes and flash flooding were possible. Firefighters have begun rescue operations in the area, including at the apartment building. Missouri Task Force 1 was also activated
The severe weather was expected to continue Thursday as the storms head east. Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center say parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic could see tornadoes, large hail and strong winds. Forecasters say the area most at risk for bad weather Thursday includes Baltimore and Pittsburgh (a house in Jefferson City, Missouri, stands in ruin)
The severe weather was expected to continue Thursday as the storms head east. Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center say parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic could see tornadoes, large hail and strong winds. Forecasters say the area most at risk for bad weather Thursday includes Baltimore and Pittsburgh
Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Authorities urged residents of several small towns in Oklahoma and Kansas to leave their homes as rivers and streams rose
A woman surveys damage Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City on Thursday morning
The severe weather was expected to continue Thursday as the storms head east. Forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center say parts of the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic could see tornadoes, large hail and strong winds. Forecasters say the area most at risk for bad weather Thursday includes Baltimore and Pittsburgh
Two barges broke loose and floated swiftly down the swollen Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma, spreading alarm downstream as they threatened to hit a dam
A National Weather Service meteorologist said: 'As of this morning, the main parts of the storms have pushed eastward, thank goodness,' leaving the region to deal with just another expected two inches of rain through Friday
Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Authorities urged residents of several small towns in Oklahoma and Kansas to leave their homes as rivers and streams rose
The NWS said it had received 22 reports of tornadoes by late Wednesday evening, although some of those could be duplicate reporting of the same twister. One of the other tornadoes (pictured) skirted just a few miles north of Joplin, Missouri
Multiple injuries were also reported, but no fatalities. Some residents are also trapped under rubble in an apartment complex (pictured) that suffered damage to more than half of its building in Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday night
Numerous power lines have been downed in Jefferson City and there's debris (left and right) in the streets that includes large pieces of wood and concrete. The catastrophic tornado has ripped through Missouri's capital, according to the National Weather Service. The 'violent tornado' was confirmed in Jefferson City around 11.47pm Wednesday night
This image posted on Twitter account of Stechshultsy shows tornado-hit Jefferson City. Missouri on Thursday
A wall is collapsed in Jefferson City, Missouri on Thursday. The U.S. National Weather Service says a 'violent tornado' has touched down in Jefferson City, Missouri, causing possible fatalities and heavy damage
Plastic chairs lie in the road and metal from a damaged gas station roof is twisted around a downed power line in Jefferson City Missouri Thursday. The catastrophic tornado has ripped through Missouri's capital, according to the National Weather Service. The 'violent tornado' was confirmed in Jefferson City around 11.47pm Wednesday night
These pictures posted by the Missouri State Highway patrol show damaged caused by a tornado in Jefferson City including a collapsed tree and an overturned vehicle
Damage is seen on a street after the tornado in Jefferson City which was described as a 'direct hit' on the state capital
Authorities confirmed that several buildings had collapsed and photos from one structure appeared to be a Sonic restaurant
Photos showed overturned cars at the Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership (pictured) located on Christy Drive
Several cars were seen on top of one another at the dealership
For the third consecutive day, dangerous storms prompted numerous tornado warnings and reports of twisters touching down, mostly in Missouri and Oklahoma
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