A storm system sweeping across Missouri has left at least three people dead, as a tornado ripped through the state capital Jefferson City late Wednesday night.
The National Weather Service issued an emergency alert shortly before 11.45pm warning city residents a “violent tornado” was about to hit the city and advised they take “shelter now!”
No fatalities have been reported in the capital, but Jefferson City Police Lieutenant David Williams said emergency services have received multiple calls of people being trapped in homes damaged after the twister struck. “It’s a chaotic situation right now,” Mr Williams said.
Missouri Department of Public Safety said there was extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure – including downed power lines.