At least two tornadoes have been confirmed in the St. Louis area, causing significant damage and leaving over 150,000 homes and businesses without power.
The severe weather, which included winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, damaged and destroyed multiple buildings across the region.
A State of Emergency has been declared for St. Louis County as officials assess the extent of the damage this morning.
Six homes in East St. Louis were damaged by fires due to heavy winds. NBC 5 reported homes near 18th Street and Tudor Avenue were damaged or destroyed by fires sparked by the damaging winds.
The Missouri Highway Patrol is reporting ten people died in the storms across the state of Missouri.
▪️ Two fatalities, Ozark County
▪️ One fatality, Butler County
▪️ Six fatalities, Wayne County
▪️ One fatality, Jefferson County
The Highway Patrol and local agencies say are working to assist those in need and assess the damage. Troopers urged residents to stay away from debris-filled areas, watch for downed power lines, and follow regional emergency services for localized updates.
The tornadoes have also caused widespread damage in Poplar Bluff, where a shelter has been set up at the Black River Coliseum for displaced residents. According to KFVS12, search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the area.
The storm system, which swept across the Midwest and South on Friday, has resulted in significant destruction, including downed trees and power lines, and flipped vehicles.
There were more than 20 reported tornadoes overnight across four states.
The National Weather Service continues to issue warnings as the storm is expected to strengthen and move toward the Southeast where warnings have been underway across several states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY AND WILL BE UPDATED.
