The Associated Press now says at least 12 people were killed by the storms that moved through our region Wednesday. At least 10 tornadoes touched down in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. According to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, there were three fatalities in his state. According to the AP, six people died in Harrisburg, Ill. More than 100 people are said to have been injured.
Authorities in Missouri say the tourist hub of Branson suffered heavy damage in that city's well-known theater district. A meteorologist says there were at least a dozen injuries involving people trapped in their homes in the Branson area. He says a tornado went through downtown Branson.
The Associated Press is also reporting that at least three people were killed in eastern Tennessee after storms packing high winds tore roofs from buildings and flattened trees.
Two of the deaths were in Cumberland County, about 60 miles west of Knoxville, and the third in DeKalb County. The fatalities were confirmed by an emergency management official in Cumberland County and a National Weather Service spokeswoman.
