Three people were killed when a tornado swept through Missouri on Wednesday. Now residents of the state are left to clean up the rubble and assess the significant damage done by the storm.
Late at night on May 22, a tornado barreled its way through parts of Missouri, including the capital, Jefferson City. Once they were given the all clear, first responders were on the ground searching for people buried or trapped by rubble. Jefferson City Police confirmed 20 people had been taken to hospital as a result of injuries sustained during the storm.
The tornado reached speeds of up to 160 miles an hour and tore through nearly 20 miles of the state, including Golden City where it claimed three lives.
Governor Mike Parson had issued a state of emergency earlier in the week, due to the severe thunderstorms and threat of flooding. Following the tornado, Governor Parson announced that some government buildings had been damaged and that some parts of the state had lost power.
Governor Parson applauded the efforts of emergency crews who acted quickly to contain damage and rescue trapped citizens in a press conference on Thursday.
“Across the state, Missouri’s first responders once again responded quickly and with strong coordination as much of the state dealt with extremely dangerous conditions that left people injured, trapped in homes, and tragically led to the death of three people,” said Parson.
A shelter was set up at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson City by the Red Cross for residents to find safety and supplies.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jefferson City Fire Department, and the highly trained search and rescue squad the Missouri Task Force 1, all pitched in to respond once the tornado hit.
Missouri is not the only state to experience a tornado in the last week. Other states in the region have been hit with severe flooding, storms, and tornados as well, including Oklahoma and Iowa.