Tornado live updates: At least 4 dead in Missouri as threat torments US
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.
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.
Latest Developments
Apr 5, 11:30 AM
At least 4 confirmed dead in Bollinger County, Missouri
At least four people have died in Bollinger County, Sgt. Clark Parrott of the Missouri Highway Patrol told ABC News.
Parrott did not know exactly where in the county the deaths occurred, but images show that the village of Glenallen sustained heavy damage. It sits just 4 miles from Marble Hill, the county seat.
Search and rescue efforts remain ongoing, Parrott said.
-ABC News' Will McDuffie
Apr 5, 11:01 AM
Tornado watch issued for Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several regions under threat of severe storms on Wednesday.
Included in the advisory are central and southern Indiana, north-central Kentucky and southwest Ohio. The formation of tornadoes could be “likely” in cities like Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Louisville, according to the NWS.
The threats include “widespread" damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, the advisory states.
The tornado watch is in effect until 5 p.m. ET.
Apr 5, 10:54 AM
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 5, 10:54 AM
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.
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.
