Tornado updates: At least 5 dead in Missouri as storms tear across US

Some areas are still reeling from another tornado outbreak.

Last Updated: April 5, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Communities across the United States -- from small towns to big cities -- were on alert for tornadoes on Wednesday, as a major storm system sweeps through areas still reeling from devastating twisters.

There were an unspecified number of injuries and fatalities confirmed in Missouri's Bollinger County after a tornado hit the Glenallen area, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

At least nine other tornadoes had already been reported across Iowa and Illinois, including a "large and extremely dangerous tornado" that touched down near Canton, Illinois, on Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Authorities confirmed fatalities and injuries in a suspected tornado west of Marble Hill, Mo., early Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Missouri State Highway Patrol

On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

As the storm continues to move east, severe weather is in the forecast for a vast area -- from western Texas to western New York.

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Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Apr 05, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Multiple fatalities reported in Missouri's Bollinger County

An unspecified number of injuries and fatalities have been confirmed in Missouri's Bollinger County after a tornado hit the Glenallen area, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

At least nine other tornadoes had already been reported across Iowa and Illinois, including a "large and extremely dangerous tornado" that touched down near Canton, Illinois, on Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced he will visit hard-hit Bollinger County.

Parson will "assess damage and learn what resources will be needed during recovery" in the rural county in the state's southeast, he said in a tweet.

"We appreciate the work of our first responders and the many neighbors who reached out to help their neighbors, and our prayers are with the loved ones of those who were killed in the storms," the governor said.

Apr 05, 2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Parts of 8 states on alert for tornadoes

Parts of eight states -- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio -- are on alert for tornadoes Wednesday as a major storm sweeps through areas already reeling from devastating twisters.

As the storm continues to move east, severe weather is in the forecast for a vast area from western Texas to western New York.

The forecast comes just days after a powerful storm system unleashed violent tornadoes and severe thunderstorms across the country, killing at least 32 people and leaving thousands without power.

Tornadoes are possible in the Midwest on Wednesday.
ABC News

The National Weather Service confirmed at least 81 tornadoes touched down in 14 states on March 31 and April 1. It was the largest single tornado outbreak to hit the U.S. in a year, since the one that spawned 140 twisters in southeastern states -- from Texas to Maryland -- on April 12-13, 2020.

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