Reed Hoffmann, Getty ImagesNine-year-old Keeley Frank holds some stuffed animals her grandparents Al and Barb Scheidegger (at left) salvaged from their storage unit on May 23, 2019 in Jefferson City, Missouri. It was among many units destroyed by a tornado there on Thursday. A series of powerful tornadoes killed at least three people in southwestern Missouri causing extensive damage in Jefferson City, the state capital.
Chris Higgins via Associated PressThis still image taken from video provided by Chris Higgins shows a tornado in Carl Junction, Mo., on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. The tornado caused damage in the town about 4 miles north of the Joplin airport. (Chris Higgins via AP)
Charlie Riedel, The Associated PressJessica Rodgers and a neighbor Ray Arellana carry a stroller carrying Rodgers' sister Sophia Rodgers over downed power lines as they head to Rodgers' mother's apartment to check on damage Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a tornado tore though Jefferson City, Mo. late Wednesday.
Jeff Roberson, The Associated PressThis aerial image shows severe storm damage in Jefferson City, Mo., Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a tornado hit overnight. A tornado tore apart buildings in Missouri's capital city as part of an overnight outbreak of severe weather across the state.
Reed Hoffmann, Getty ImagesDirk Sluyter looks for whats left of his boat, tools and family antiques in a storage unit on May 23, 2019 in Jefferson City, Missouri. It was in an area hit by a tornado last night. A series of powerful tornadoes killed at least three people in southwestern Missouri and causing extensive damage in Jefferson City, the state capital.
Tom Gilbert, Tulsa World via Associated PressIn this aerial image, homes are inundated with flood waters from the Arkansas River near South 145th West Ave near Highway 51 on Thursday, May 23, 2019, in Sand Springs, Okla. Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, in the past few days.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World via Associated PressTulsa County Sheriff's Deputy Miranda Munson makes her way back to a fan boat after checking a flooded house for occupants in the Town and Country neighborhood in Sand Springs, Okla., Thursday, May 23, 2019. Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, in the past few days.
Reed Hoffmann, Getty ImagesTrucks are piled on top of each other at Riley Auto Group on May 23, 2019 in Jefferson City, Missouri, after a tornado struck there. A series of powerful tornadoes killed at least three people in southwestern Missouri causing extensive damage in Jefferson City, the state capital.
Roger Nomer, The Joplin Globe via Associated PressHomeowner Jason Waldon wipes away sweat while taking a break with his chainsaw in the Briarbrook neighborhood of Carl Junction, Mo., on Thursday, May 23, 2019. A tornado damaged the area on Wednesday evening, but no fatalities were reported. The National Weather Service says a deadly storm in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri spawned four tornadoes in roughly 50 miles.
Jeff Roberson, The Associated PressThis aerial image shows severe storm damage in Jefferson City, Mo., Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a tornado hit overnight. A tornado tore apart buildings in Missouri's capital city as part of an overnight outbreak of severe weather across the state.
Tom Gilbert/Tulsa World via Associated PressThis aerial image shows the Arkansas River with the Tulsa, Okla., skyline after flooding on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Storms and torrential rains have ravaged the Midwest, from Texas through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois, in the past few days.
Reed Hoffmann, Getty Images
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Nine-year-old Keeley Frank holds some stuffed animals her grandparents Al and Barb Scheidegger (at left) salvaged from their storage unit on May 23, 2019 in Jefferson City, Missouri. It was among many units destroyed by a tornado there on Thursday. A series of powerful tornadoes killed at least three people in southwestern Missouri causing extensive damage in Jefferson City, the state capital.
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By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
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A violent tornado ripped through Jefferson City, Missouri, late Wednesday, with multiple reports of injuries, people trapped in buildings and “catastrophic” damage to homes and businesses in the Missouri capital.
The National Weather Service confirmed that it received word of damage from the “Wedge Tornado” – wider in its funnel than it is tall – at 11:47 p.m. local time, urging residents to “shelter now!” The tornado moved at 40 mph through the city in central Missouri and shot debris about 13,000 feet into the air.