A severe weather outbreak unfolded on Wednesday afternoon and night from Oklahoma to Illinois, producing devastating tornadoes that wreaked havoc in Missouri.
Three people were killed in Golden City, Missouri, while the state's capital, Jefferson City, took a direct hit from a massive ornado around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday. About 20 people were injured, but no fatalities were reported.
Click here for a full recap of the severe weather event. Scroll below to read real-time storm reports from Wednesday May 22 into Thursday May 23.
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jessica Rodgers and a neighbor, Ray Arellana, carry a stroller carrying Rodgers' sister Sophia Rodgers over downed power lines in Jefferson City, Missouri, Thursday, May 23, 2019.
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A woman surveys damage Thursday, May 23, 2019 after a tornado tore though Jefferson City, Mo. late Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
(Chris Higgins via AP)
This still image taken from video provided by Chris Higgins shows a tornado in Carl Junction, Missouri, on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. The tornado caused damage in the town about 4 miles (6.44 kilometers) north of the Joplin Airport.
(AP Photo/David Lieb)
A car is trapped under the fallen metal roof of the Break Time gas station and convenience store in tornado-hit Jefferson City, Missouri, Thursday, May 23, 2019.
(AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
The sign for the Hidden Oaks apartment complex in Jefferson City, Missouri, stands bent Thursday, May 23, 2019, from a tornado in front of a tree that was ripped apart.
(Shayla Brooks via AP)
This still image taken from video provided by Shayla Brooks shows a tornado on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, in Carl Junction, Missouri.
(AP Photo/Stechshultsy)
This image posted on the Twitter account of Stechshultsy shows tornado-hit Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The NWS confirmed a large destructive tornado caused heavy damage.
(AP Photo/David Lieb)
A destroyed sign for a car wash is seen in tornado-hit Jefferson City, Missouri, Thursday, May 23, 2019, with a heavily damaged gas station in the background.
(Twitter photo/@MoPublicSafety)
This images shows the damaged Missouri Division of Employment Security Office in Jefferson City.
(Twitter photo/@MoPublicSafety)
Debris is scattered across Jackson and Dunklin Streets in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 23. Public safety officials are urging residents to allow crews room to clean up the tornado's aftermath.
(AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
Plastic chairs lie in the road and metal from a damaged gas station roof is twisted around a downed power line in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a large tornado ripped through the state's capital.
(Twitter photo/@MoPublicSafety)
The Missouri Department of Public Safety tweeted out images of extensive damage in Jefferson City, the state capital, including signs ripped from their posts along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54.
(Twitter photo/@MoPublicSafety)
The Missouri Department of Public Safety tweeted images of extensive damage in Jefferson City, including downed power lines along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54.
(Twitter photo/@MSHPTrooperF)
This image from the Missouri State Highway Patrol shows downed trees and power lines after a tornado struck Jefferson City, Missouri, Wednesday night.
(AP Photo/David Lieb)
A wall collapsed in Jefferson City, Missouri, on Thursday May 23, 2019 after a violent tornado struck the area.
(Twitter photo/@MSHPTrooperF)
This is one of several vehicles damaged on or near WB BUS 54 near Eldon, Missouri, on Wednesday evening.
(Twitter/@FirstLadyTeresa)
The tornado that tore through Missouri late Wednesday night destroyed trees and homes.
(Twitter/@FirstLadyTeresa)
The tornado that hit Missouri Wednesday night tore through Eldon, Missouri, downing power lines, snapping trees and destroying houses.
(Twitter/@FirstLadyTeresa)
The roof of this building was torn from it during the tornado that hit Missouri on Wednesday night.
(Twitter/@FirstLadyTeresa)
Residents of Eldon, Missouri clean up the damage left by the tornado that hit on Wednesday night.
Twitter/Master Sergeant Casey Utterback
The tornado that struck Jefferson City on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, tracked close to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperGHQ)
The tornado that struck Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, tore off the roof of this home and caused other major structural damage.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperGHQ)
Trees and power lines were torn from the ground and downed during the tornado that hit Jefferson City on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperGHQ)
These trees were uprooted and snapped in Jefferson City, Missouri by the tornado that hit late Wednesday night on May 22, 2019.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperGHQ)
The tornado that hit Jefferson City on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, not only downed power lines, but flipped cars, as seen in the background of this photo.
Twitter/@MSHPTrooperC
The tornado that struck Jefferson City on Wednesday, May 22 launched this piece of metal into the side of a building.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperC)
Parts of Jefferson City, Missouri lie in pieces after the devastating tornado that struck on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperC)
An battered semi lies on its side after the tornado that hit Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
(Twitter/@MSHPTrooperC)
A metal sheet is wrapped around a storm-battered car after the tornado that hit Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
(Twitter/@MissouriOA)
The tornado that hit Jefferson City, Missouri on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, didn't spare the Employment Security Building.
(Twitter/@ChristiesPics)
The flooding occurring at Harry S Truman Dam grew worse after the storm blew through on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
8:55 a.m. CDT Thursday:
More photos of the widespread damage are emerging from the Jefferson City area. Emergency responders continue to urge residents to allow crews to do clean-up work.
The tornado ripped off the roof of these storage units off Ellis Blvd. #abc17news #jeffersoncity #jcmo
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Lots of damage here on Case Street in Jefferson City. Broken utility poles, downed trees, caved in roofs.
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This is the damaged Missouri Division of Employment Security Office and debris at Jackson and Dunklin streets in Jefferson City. Please allow crews room to do their work. #MoWx #JeffersonCity
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8 a.m. CDT Thursday:
A look at the timeline of the Jefferson City tornado from Wednesday night.
Over 21,000 remain without power in Missouri at this hour, according to Poweroutage.us.
6:02 a.m. CDT Thursday:
The Jefferson City Police Department said the number of injured has risen to 20, but no fatalities have been reported in Jefferson City.
There are still concerns for the businesses located in the impacted area, according to a media release. The utilities in the damaged homes and businesses present a hazard as power is restored.
"Emergency personnel are continuing to contact displaced residents in the affected area. Citizens are urged to stay away from the impacted area to allow emergency personnel access," department officials said in a statement.
5:23 a.m. CDT Thursday:
The Missouri Department of Public Safety reports that at least nine people have been admitted to Jefferson City hospitals due to storm-related injuries. The agency is disputing reports that 100 people have been hospitalized.
Officials are also urging non-essential state employees who work in Jefferson City to not report to work on Thursday.
"There is damage to some state buildings, others need to be fully assessed and power is down in some areas. We will keep you posted," officials said on Twitter.
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.
Stay out of areas with damage. #MoWx
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4:15 a.m. CDT Thursday:
A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Indianapolis. This line of storms had had a history of wind gusts to 70 mph, leading to downed trees and power lines.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Indianapolis IN, Greenwood IN, Lawrence IN until 6:15 AM EDT
See NWS Indianapolis's other Tweets
2:45 a.m. CDT Thursday:
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Troop F (MSHP Troop F) is assisting Jefferson City Police in cleanup efforts in Jefferson City, Missouri following a damaging tornado that swept through the area. They urge residents to avoid the area.
Below are some of the photos taken by MSHP Troop F of the damage:
One of the several vehicles on or near WB BUS 54 near Eldon, Missouri. (Twitter/MSHP Troop F)
Trees and power lines are down after a tornado struck Jefferson City, Missouri, during Wednesday night. (Twitter/MSHP Troop F)
2:30 a.m. CDT Thursday:
A line of thunderstorms, which have a history of producing wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph, will move eastward into northern and central Indiana.
1:30 a.m. CDT Thursday:
A line of thunderstorms is crossing Illinois early Thursday morning. The main threat with this line will be damaging winds.
Multiple reports of downed trees and power lines have been reported within this line. A wind gust of 58 mph was reported at the Bloomington Airport.
On the northern side of this line, funnel clouds have been reported near Fairbury. A tornado warning remains in effect for the towns of Kempton and Cullom.
1:15 a.m. CDT Thursday:
Thunderstorms in northeastern Oklahoma will be capable of producing a tornado over the next few hours. A tornado was just recently reported near Bernice, Oklahoma. Wind gusts between 70 and 80 mph were also reported south of Afton, Oklahoma.
The future track of these thunderstorms will be to the south of Joplin, Missouri.
12:20 a.m. CDT Thursday:
The Arkansas River at Muskogee has riven to major flood stage and is expected to continue rising into Thursday morning. It has not set a record for the second highest crest on record.
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12:10 a.m. CDT Thursday:
The Jefferson City Fire Department is reporting people trapped in basements and in an apartment complex following a tornado that struck the state capitol. There are also multiple reports on social media of a Best Western hotel that got hit by the tornado with injuries inside.
Emergency dispatch has requested for assistance with the National Guard to assist those trapped or injured from the tornado.
11:45 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A tornado emergency is in effect for Jefferson City, Missouri, and surrounding areas. Take cover now! A tornado has been confirmed on the ground, according to the National Weather Service in St. Louis.
Tornado Emergency including Jefferson City MO, Holts Summit MO, Wardsville MO until 12:30 AM CDT
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11:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Three people have been confirmed dead from the tornado that struck Golden City, Missouri, according to the Lamar Police Chief and multiple sources.
10:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Muskogee County emergency management has urged those in the town of Webbers Falls and nearby areas west of the Arkansas River to evacuate now! "Historic and life-threatening flooding is now occurring on the Arkansas River," they said. "Significant flooding in the town of Webbers Falls is imminent."
Those evacuating should move west and south along Highway 100 to Interstate 40 away from the Arkansas River.
9:55 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A new thunderstorm may be producing a tornado to the north of Golden City, Missouri, which just got hit by a tornado less than one hour ago.
9:45 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
This image shows debris lofted over 20,000 feet in the air from the tornado that touched down in Orongo, Missouri, north of Joplin, earlier Wednesday evening.
Debris has been lofted to 22,000 feet as a "destructive" #tornado has hit north of Joplin, MO in Orongo, MO. This is a tornado EMERGENCY.
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9:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A tornado caused major structural damage to the town of Golden City, Missouri, according to law enforcement. This is the same thunderstorm that passed near Joplin, Missouri, an hour prior.
A tornado warning remains in effect for this storm as it moves off to the northeast.
A trained spotter also observed a tornado on the ground just north of Columbia, Missouri.
9:00 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Muskogee County officials confirm two barges broke loose on the Arkansas River. They are heading downstream and some fear they may hit the Webbers Falls Lock and Dam.
The town of Webbers Falls has been under a mandatory evacuation.
8:18 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Particularly Dangerous Situation: A confirmed large and destructive tornado is located over Oronogo, near Joplin, Missouri moving northeast at 25 mph.
Significant damage reported at Fir Road and Black Cat Road on the south side of the Carl Junction area.
Tornado Emergency continues for Webb City MO, Oronogo MO, Carterville MO until 8:45 PM CDT
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7:54 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A spotter confirmed a large tornado near Baxter Springs, Kansas, which is just west of Joplin, Missouri.
Tornado Warning including Joplin MO, Webb City MO, Carl Junction MO until 8:45 PM CDT
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7:36 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
AccuWeather Video Journalist Blake Naftel caught a large wedge tornado near Commerce, Oklahoma.
Large wedge tornado observed at 7:25p CT near Commerce, #Oklahoma @breakingweather @accuweather @NWStulsa View looking south at Highway 69.
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7:27 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A large cone tornado was reported near Commerce, Oklahoma traveling northeast toward the Kansas border.
727 PM - Large cone tornado reported 3 miles NNW of Commerce #OKwx heading rapidly northeast toward the KS border.
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6:57 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A tornado has been reported to the west of Bluejacket, Oklahoma traveling toward Welch.
Very strong wind gusts are expected from the severe thunderstorms into tonight. These storms will be capable of producing wind gusts in excess of 70 mph.
657 PM - Tornado reported to the west of Bluejacket headed toward Welch. #okwx
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6:09 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
The National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma reported a tornado in northern Tulsa county just east on Sperry approaching Collinsville. Residents should take shelter immediately.
609 PM - Tornado reported in northern Tulsa county just east of Sperry approaching Collinsville. Take cover now! #okwx
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5:55 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
AccuWeather Reporter Jonathan Petramala reports sirens in Tulsa, Oklahoma as severe storms approach the area. Residents should be aware and alert in case of an emergency.
5:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A severe thunderstorm with a confirmed tornado was near Okemah, Oklahoma, and was tracking northeast toward Okmulgee. The storm may also bring winds over 50mph and hail larger than golf balls.
There is also a report that a house may have been hit by the large tornado southwest of the town.
A large tornado near Okemah, Oklahoma, on Wednesday afternoon. (Twitter/Jeffrey Stevenson)
4:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
The first tornado of the day has been confirmed near Cromwell, Oklahoma, and is tracking northeast toward Okemah. People in the path of this twister need to seek shelter immediately.
4 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A ‘particularly dangerous situation' tornado watch has been issued for part of north-central Texas, central Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. This includes Wichita Falls, Texas; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Joplin, Missouri. Another tornado watch has been issued for northeastern Missouri and western Illinois.
“Several tornadoes and a few intense tornadoes are likely,” the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) said in the tornado watch.
A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornado-producing thunderstorms to develop, while a tornado warning means that a tornado is imminent or is on the ground.
The University of Oklahoma has announced that they are closing campus and canceling all evening classes and activities due to the threat of severe weather.
OU Alert: Due to the possibility of severe weather, OU Norman Campus will close at 3:30 p.m., Wed. May 22. Evening classes and activities are cancelled.
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