Destruction reported in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
QUICK FACTS:
- Tornadoes and severe storms swept across several states Friday night, leaving in their wake multiple deaths, numerous injuries, and severe structural damage, according to Fox News.
- Affected states included Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday morning it’s “certain” that more than 70 people are dead. It is speculated that number may top 100.
- “Major incidents included heavy damage to an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, where two people are confirmed dead and dozens of workers were reportedly trapped inside the building, and the destruction of a nursing home in Arkansas, where at least two people were killed and five were hurt, according to reports,” Fox reports.
ILLINOIS:
- The Amazon collapse—just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis—was being called a “mass casualty incident” by local emergency responders.
- At least 30 people were bused away from the scene to be reunited with family, officials said.
- As many as 50 to 100 employees were believed to be inside the building, FOX 2 of St. Louis reported.
- Police received word of the collapse around 8:30 p.m., police told FOX 2 early Saturday. Officials said the emergency response was expected to continue far into Saturday morning.
MISSOURI:
- In St. Charles County, Missouri, to the west of St. Louis, at least one person was killed and three injured when a tornado struck in the town of Defiance, according to FOX 2.
ARKANSAS:
- In Craighead County, Arkanas, emergency responders were dealing with a tragedy at the Monette Manor Nursing Home in Monette, FOX 16 of Little Rock reported.
- At least 20 people were initially trapped inside the building after a suspected tornado struck, the report said. The damage left at least two people dead and five hurt, the report said.
KENTUCKY:
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear warned the commonwealth’s residents Saturday that the tornado death toll there will exceed 70 after a candle factory in Mayfield with around 110 people inside was flattened.
- He said a single tornado ripped across the state for more than 200 miles.
- Earlier, the governor declared a state of emergency after major tornado damage was reported in the western part of the state.
- Beshear called it the “most devastating tornado event in our state’s history.”
- “It is indescribable,” he continued. “The level of devastation is unlike anything I have ever seen.”
TENNESSEE:
- At least two people were confirmed dead in Obion County, Tennessee, after dangerous storms tore through the area, FOX 17 of Nashville reported. No details were immediately available on how the deaths occurred.
