At least 17 tornadoes were reported in seven states overnight into Tuesday morning, as the tornado threat continues Wednesday for parts of the country.
The twisters were reported in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and South Dakota.
One of the hardest-hit areas in the storm was Barnsdall, Oklahoma, north of Tulsa. One person was killed and several injured, according to Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley.
Kelley said there was “significant damage” to much of the small town, including several homes that were “completely leveled” and a nursing home that was destroyed.
“We need a lot of prayers,” Kelley told reporters during a press briefing following the tornado — the second to hit the town in recent weeks.
Approximately 25 people were rescued and one to two people remain unaccounted for following an initial search, Kelley said. Another search effort was underway Tuesday, with access to the town closed while authorities conducted the search.
