Tornadoes ripped through six states from Mississippi to Illinois Friday night, killing several people, damaging structures, and uprooting trees.
A confirmed tornado was located over Maryland Heights, MO and remains a threat for the St. Louis metro area, according to the NWS. Locations impacted include University City, St. Ann, St. Louis Lambert International Airport and more. More on these storms: https://t.co/Ri3Fkh0H7X pic.twitter.com/PkN3n9ikKY
— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) December 11, 2021
The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued countless tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for the area Friday night. At least two major tornadoes were tracked through the region.
Storm survey crews will assess tornado damage across parts of the area today. Any pictures or videos of storm damage from Saturday night will be helpful! #stlwx #mowx #ilwx #midmowx pic.twitter.com/SzevZMyKI2
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) December 11, 2021
Officials said at least 70 people were trapped inside a flattened candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky. Kentucky was “ground zero” for the tornadoes. Six fatalities were reported in a roof collapse at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, as the tornadoes tore a path through several states of at least 200 miles.
“This has been the most devastating tornado event in our state’s history,” The New York Times quoted Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear as saying at a press briefing. “The level of devastation is unlike anything I have ever seen.”
Upon approving an emergency declaration for Kentucky, President Joe Biden said, “We’re going to get through this, and we’re going to get through this together. The federal government is not going to walk away.”
The storms caused power failures at Edwardsville High School in Illinois, which was forced to cancel several events scheduled for Saturday, according to the school’s social media pages.
