JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Violent storms and tornadoes slammed Missouri late Wednesday, leaving three people dead and pummeling the state's capital, officials said.
According to The Associated Press, a "large and destructive tornado" hit Jefferson City before midnight, National Weather Service officials said. The twister caused several injuries, trapped residents, destroyed homes and buildings, and knocked out power to nearly 13,000 people, KOMU-TV reported.
No deaths have been reported in connection with the Jefferson City tornado, police said in a news conference early Thursday.
>> Watch a video from the scene here
WATCH: Storm chaser Ricky Jarvis captured this video Wednesday night as the storm approached Jefferson City.
— KRCG 13 (@KRCG13) May 23, 2019
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/6FhGZdt445 pic.twitter.com/5ehTaQlU9s
>> See photos from Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, the state capital, there is extensive damage along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54. Power lines are down. Traffic is being diverted as @MSHPTrooperGHQ & local first responders go door-to-door. Consider all power lines live.
— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019
Stay out of areas with damage. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/cPWQi1tzCJ
@MSHPTrooperF is in Jefferson City assisting @JeffCityPolice and Cole County Sheriff Dept. after tonight’s tornado. If you are NOT affected, please avoid the area. You will see several power lines down in these pictures. Treat them as though they are live. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/JHyNNfDX8F
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) May 23, 2019
The news came after officials said three people were killed when a "suspected tornado" struck Golden City, NBC News reported.
Law enforcement can confirm three fatalities in the Golden City area of Barton County and several injuries in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County. #MoWx#GoldenCity #CarlJunction
— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019
Tornado damage also was reported in Carl Junction, where several people were hurt, according to NBC News. One social media user shared a dramatic video of the twister sweeping through the area.
Looking SE from Central CJ @ 8:13 pm
Posted by Chris Higgins on Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Earlier this week, storms were blamed for three more deaths – including two in Missouri and one in Iowa – and a possible fourth in Oklahoma, the AP reported.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
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