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US weather: Tornadoes kill at least seven people US weather: Tornadoes kill at least seven people
(about 1 hour later)
At least seven people have been killed in weather-related deaths as tornadoes sweep across the US Midwest, local officials say. Tornadoes have killed at least three people in Missouri, bringing the death toll from twisters across the US Midwest in recent days to seven.
Three fatalities were confirmed on Thursday in Golden City, Missouri. All three deaths overnight were in Golden City. Another tornado hit the state capital, Jefferson City.
Another two were killed in the state earlier in the week, along with one in Oklahoma and another in Iowa. Around 20 people have been rescued in Jefferson City, where buildings were damaged and cars tossed about.
A tornado also struck Missouri's state capital, Jefferson City, bringing heavy rain, hail, wind and lightning. Missouri saw two other weather-related deaths earlier this week, along with one in Oklahoma and another in Iowa.
Earlier, the US National Weather Service issued a rare "high warning" for severe storms in the region. It said at least 29 tornadoes had been reported in the last 24 hours and more than 170 since Friday. Those who work in Jefferson City were urged on Thursday to stay at home due to dangerous road conditions in the aftermath of the storm, including toppled trees and power lines.
Earlier the US National Weather Service (NWS) issued a rare "high warning" for severe storms in the region.
It said at least 29 tornadoes had been reported in the last 24 hours and more than 170 since Friday.
The NWS described the tornado over Jefferson City as "large and destructive".
Missouri Governor Mike Parson told reporters on Thursday morning that "there was a lot of devastation throughout the state".
"We were very fortunate last night that we didn't have more injuries than what we had, and we didn't have more fatalities across the state. But three is too many."
According to the governor, some Jefferson City residents are still trapped in the rubble, and emergency teams have been dispatched across the capital city.
Police will begin door-to-door searches soon, KMIZ News reports.
On Wednesday night, emergency sirens were activated in Jefferson City - home to around 43,000 people - and the storm was spotted 20 minutes later.On Wednesday night, emergency sirens were activated in Jefferson City - home to around 43,000 people - and the storm was spotted 20 minutes later.
"When it hit... it felt like an earthquake," local resident Cindy Sandoval-Jakobsen told CNN."When it hit... it felt like an earthquake," local resident Cindy Sandoval-Jakobsen told CNN.
No deaths have been reported in the city, but images on social media show buildings ripped apart, power lines downed and trees uprooted. Thousands are believed to be without electricity. No deaths have been reported in the city, but images on social media show buildings ripped apart. Thousands are believed to be without electricity.
"It's a chaotic situation right now," Jefferson City Police Lt David Williams told reporters. "We need people who are not affected to stay out of those areas". "It's a chaotic situation right now," Jefferson City Police Lt David Williams told reporters.
Emergency officials have warned of flash flooding, and police in Tulsa, Oklahoma have advised residents living near Keystone Lake dam to begin evacuating. "We need people who are not affected to stay out of those areas".
The storms on Wednesday hit on the eighth anniversary of a tornado that killed 161 people in Joplin, a city in southeast Missouri. Emergency officials have warned of flash flooding, and police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have advised residents living near Keystone Lake dam to begin evacuating.
Wednesday's storms struck on the eighth anniversary of a tornado that killed 161 people in Joplin, a city in southeast Missouri.
More storms are expected to hit the Midwest on Thursday and Friday.More storms are expected to hit the Midwest on Thursday and Friday.
What do we know about the victims?What do we know about the victims?
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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