'Mass casualty event' declared as tornadoes hit parts of US

At least 21 people have died after tornadoes hit two US states, according to local officials.

Some 14 people have been reported dead in Kentucky, its governor Andy Beshear said, while seven have died in Missouri.

The weather system also saw tornadoes tear through Wisconsin, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power there.

In the city of St Louis, five people were confirmed dead and more than 5,000 homes were damaged, mayor Cara Spencer said on Saturday.

The storm system originally hit Scott County, 130 miles south of St Louis on Friday, killing two people, Sheriff Derick Wheetley said.

The devastation that ensued saw roofs torn off buildings, blown-out windows, toppled trees, and power lines.

St Louis mayor Ms Spencer said: "Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous."

Kentucky officials described the situation there as a "mass casualty event" after the weather system tore across Laurel County late on Friday.

Several people were taken to hospital with injuries, buildings damaged, and a car flipped over on a busy highway, local officials reported.

Laurel County Sheriff's Office spokesman Gilbert Acciardo said rescuers had "been on the ground all night looking for possible survivors".

Governor Mr Beshear posted on X: "Kentucky, we're starting today with the tough news that we lost at least 14 of our people to last night's storms, but sadly, this number is expected to grow as we receive more information. Please pray for all of our affected families."

The National Weather Service warned of further devastation hitting Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma on Saturday.

"Severe thunderstorms producing large to very large hail, damaging gusts, and a couple of tornadoes are expected across the southern Plains," the service website reads.

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