US-30 tornadoes leave path of destruction across six states

Ns News Online Desk: Thirty tornadoes and deadly storm system ripped through Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois on Friday night — destroying buildings, leaving dozens of others trapped inside buildings, and potentially killing dozens.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the death toll is expected to rise between 50 and 70 deaths in the wake of the tornadoes and storms that ripped through the Midwest. “This is one of the toughest nights in Kentucky’s history… We are here for you. We love you. We are praying for you.”

In Tennessee, two storm-related fatalities were reported in Lake County in the state’s northwestern corner, said Dean Flener, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. An additional death was reported in neighboring Obion County. Flener said the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed the deaths, however there were no other details immediately released. The official had earlier reported two deaths in Obion County.

At least 20 people were trapped inside the nursing home in Monette, Ark., after the twister struck. One person was reported killed, five others were injured, according to Marvin Day, the Craighead County judge.

The tornado struck the Monette Manor at around 8:15 p.m. and a search and rescue team was called shortly after to help those trapped in the building, Day told The Post.

Earlier reports said that two people had died in the nursing home. Officials were working early Saturday to relocate residents to a safer location.Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a tweet at around 9:30 that “a tornado has struck in Mississippi County” and “first responders are on the scene.”

The severe weather system moved north into Illinois and devastated an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville, Ill. Multiple workers were trapped inside the building after a “structural collapse,” according to Fox 2 in Illinois. Family members rushed to the site of the Amazon warehouse, hoping their loved ones were safe.

“He was on the phone with me while it was happening,” Aisha White told KMOV while waiting outside the building. “The tornado was hitting the back of the building, the trucks were coming in, I told him to jump out the truck and duck. We watched the building go up, stuff hitting the cars, I told him I was on my way.”Amazon Spokesperson Richard Rocha told The Post that the company was in the process of determining the damage.

“The safety and well-being of our employees and partners is our top priority right now,” Rocha said. “We’re assessing the situation and will share additional information when it’s available.”One official told KTVI-TV that up to 100 people were believed to be in the building, working the night shift, at the time of the collapse.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were hurt, but one person was flown by helicopter to a hospital.

Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback said several people who were in the building were taken by bus to the police station in nearby Pontoon Beach for evaluation. By early Saturday, rescue crews were still sorting through the rubble to determine if anyone was trapped inside. Fillback said the process would last for several more hours. Cranes and backhoes were brought in to help move debris.

“Please be patient with us. Our fire personnel are doing everything they can to reunite everyone with their loved ones,” Fillback said on KMOV-TV.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Twitter that Illinois State Police and disaster officials were coordinating with local officials in Edwardsville, and he was monitoring the situation.

“My prayers are with the people of Edwardsville tonight, and I’ve reached out to the mayor to provide any needed state resources,” Pritzker said. In Charles County, Missouri, officials confirmed that at least one person has died and two others injured from the deadly tornado, according to Fox 2.

Responders were also working to free another individual who was trapped in his home. According to WPSD-TV, the Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield, Ky. was completely destroyed. Images posted by Kentucky Emergency Management Association showed the top of the courthouse lopped off.Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky early Saturday morning. In Hopkins County, Kentucky the winds were so severe that a train was derailed from its tracks, Sheriff Matt Sanderson confirmed.The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings throughout the region as the deadly weather system continued its pace northward.