MoPublicSafety/Twitter/PAA tornado has ripped through Missouri’s capital of Jefferson City, leaving a trial of devastation in its wake.
The tornado was estimated to be around half a mile wide and moving at 40mph. It hit Jefferson City just before midnight on Wednesday, May 22.
Authorities have called the incident a ‘mass casualty event’, as countless people became trapped in their homes and many buildings were irreparably damaged.
According to law enforcement in the area, three people have died as the result of another tornado that occurred earlier in the day.
Breaking: Video shows damage in Jefferson City, Missouri, after large tornado. Authorities are calling the incident a ‘mass casualty event’. pic.twitter.com/GpkhUijKIT
— Live Report (@tweetlivereport) May 23, 2019
The US National Weather Service for Saint Louis Missouri said on Facebook the ‘violent’ tornado ‘produced extensive damage’.
The first tornado travelled from southwest Missouri to southeast Kansas, where law enforcement confirmed ‘three fatalities in the Golden City area of Barton County and several injuries in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County’, while the second tornado ripped through Jefferson City at around midnight the same day.
Law enforcement can confirm three fatalities in the Golden City area of Barton County and several injuries in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County. #MoWx#GoldenCity #CarlJunction
— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019
Authorities in the area are responding to the destructive event, as more severe weather is expected to hit.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said on Twitter:
Troopers are in the Golden City area assisting the Barton County Sheriff’s office and other first responders following a confirmed tornado with extensive damage including injuries. More severe weather predicted.
Troopers are in the Golden City area assisting the Barton County Sheriff’s office and other first responders following a confirmed tornado with extensive damage including injuries. More severe weather predicted. #BeWeatherAware
— MSHP Troop D (@MSHPTrooperD) May 23, 2019
The deaths in Kansas were reported late on Wednesday night, as the National Weather Service received multiple reports of the ‘confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado’, The Kansas City Star reports.
Some members of the public tried to capture the storm on camera:
tornado in jefferson city my cousin toon this video. scary as hell pic.twitter.com/K7Oa9X5vOo
— Paige (@paigedamba) May 23, 2019
As well as the three fatalities, there have been numerous reports of injuries. Footage from the area show many buildings destroyed by the storm.
According to reports, some debris from the city was lifted over 13,000ft into the air, and continued to fall back down 30 minutes after the storm had passed.
Here is a screen recording from about an hour ago just as the tornado entered Jefferson City… debris was confirmed to have been lifted over 13,000ft into the air. Debris was falling from the air 30 minutes AFTER the tornado tore through town… #mowx #jeffersoncity #tornado pic.twitter.com/AqcdVqEba4
— Aaron Brogan (@a_a_ronbrogan) May 23, 2019
Power lines are down in Jefferson City, with traffic being diverted away from the most heavily affected areas, and residents advised to stay away from the damaged buildings.
In Jefferson City, the state capital, there is extensive damage along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54. Power lines are down. Traffic is being diverted as @MSHPTrooperGHQ & local first responders go door-to-door. Consider all power lines live.
Stay out of areas with damage. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/cPWQi1tzCJ— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019
POTENTIAL TORNADO DAMAGE: Off Christy drive in Jefferson City #midmowx @NWSStLouis pic.twitter.com/f3FOV2HPVV
— Elyse Smith KRCG 13 (@ElyseSmithWX) May 23, 2019
Jefferson City Fire Department have deployed all their firefighters to the area to begin rescue operations, as an unknown number of people are reported to be trapped inside or under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Authorities are expecting more extreme weather events as a result of the tornado, including flash flooding as heavy rain continues to affect the city.
Missouri governor Mike Parson tweeted:
Major tornados across state tonight, including Jeff City. 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.
Major tornados across state tonight, including Jeff City. 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.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) May 23, 2019
Earlier on Wednesday, the city’s airport was evacuated due to the tornadoes, and the city’s mayor, Carrie Tergin, issued a mandatory evacuation for a number of homes.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.