Tornado in Missouri A tornado reported early Wednesday, April 5, 2023, destroyed homes and claimed several lives in Bollinger County, Missouri, officials said. (Missouri State Highway Patrol)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. — At least five people died Wednesday after what appears to be a “significant tornado” touched down in Bollinger County, Sheriff Casey Graham said.
Graham did not immediately identify the people killed as authorities continued search and rescue efforts on Wednesday afternoon. The sheriff said he was focused “on ensuring those who still need help are receiving it” and on ensuring that officials can account for all citizens.
Authorities did not immediately say if any other people were injured or how many people remained unaccounted for. Crews from several agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, were aiding the search for survivors.
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri Residents survey damage to their home after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following the early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri First responders enter a debris riddled street during rescue and cleanup efforts after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri First responders perform search and rescue patrol among destruction from a tornado on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A destroyed home is seen after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri Firefighters and other first responders view a destroyed neighborhood after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A resident surveys damage to a home after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A truck is seen destroyed by a tree after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri Residents survey damage to their home after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023 in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Tornado downs trees, destroys homes in Missouri A view of damage as residents clean up after a tornado touched down in the area on April 5, 2023, in Glenallen, Missouri. At least five people have reportedly been killed and multiple others injured following an early morning tornado which tore through parts of southeastern Missouri on Wednesday. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
Early on Wednesday, officials with the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, warned of a tornado moving in Bollinger County.
NWS meteorologist Justin Gibbs told The Associated Press that the tornado traveled an estimated 15-20 miles while on the ground for about 15 minutes. Officials described the storm as “a significant tornado.”
“It was breathtaking,” Sheoby Davidson, who took shelter in a bathtub during the tornado, told KFVS-TV. “I don’t even know. The mess that there is, the trees that are down ... all the other people that are affected by it. But all the people that came together to help, it’s awesome to know that we have a community like that.”
Videos posted on social media showed destruction left on the path of the storm.
A weather service team was headed to the area Wednesday to survey the damage, KFVS reported.
In a social media post, Gov. Mike Parson shared prayers for those affected by the deadly storm. He said he will join officials to assess damage “and learn what resources will be needed during recovery.”