Long recovery ahead for residents of Mayfield, Kentucky
Search and rescue operations are still underway in Mayfield, Kentucky, after a powerful tornado ripped through the town during a severe weather outbreak Friday night and Saturday morning.
MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Dozens of people were killed and neighborhoods were reduced to rubble after several powerful tornadoes ripped across the nation's heartland Friday night and Saturday morning.
The largest death toll is in Kentucky, which suffered significant tornado damage across 19 counties. On Saturday, Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 70 people died, but the count could eventually exceed 100 by the end of the day.
Local reports say the death toll was currently at 80.
"This has been one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history, and some areas have been hit in ways that are hard to put into words," Beshear said.
Daylight shows first images of Mayfield, KY, after tornado hits town
FOX Weather's Will Nunley is live in Mayfield, Kentucky, after tornado hits town Friday night.
Graves County was hit the hardest, as a tornado tore through the town of Mayfield, destroying several homes. At least 100 people were reported trapped in a Candle Factory that was in the direct path.
According to reports, officials said 40 people had been rescued from the candle factory and 60 remain missing.
"A roof collapse at a candle factory has resulted in mass casualties," Beshear said.
A tornado estimated to be at least EF-3 strength struck Bowling Green, Kentucky, later in the evening, causing significant damage and killing at least 11 people, according to the Warren County Coroner.
Additional media reports Sunday say the number of deaths in Bowling Green had risen to at least 12.
Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard.
7 VIDEOS THAT TELL THE STORY OF THE TORNADO OUTBREAK IN THE NATION'S HEARTLAND
The primary tornado was on the ground continuously for more than 270 miles in the state, the governor said.
"Something we have never seen before," Beshear said.
6 dead as Amazon warehouse struck by tornado
In Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis, six people were killed when a tornado struck an Amazon warehouse facility, according to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Tornado levels Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, IL
A historic tornado outbreak that struck America's heartland overnight. An Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, IL took a direct hit leaving at least two dead.
As many as 100 people were trapped in the building after the twister, with about 30 people who were able to make it out on their own. Authorities said Saturday night that they do not know how many employees at an Amazon distribution are missing.
National Weather Service meteorologists estimated at least EF-3 damage but warn the tornado could still get a higher rating.
Another person was killed and two more were injured when tornadoes hit the town of Defiance in St. Charles County, just west of St. Louis. Local media reports a second person had been killed, but no other information was available.
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Deaths reported in 3 other states
The tornado outbreak began in northeastern Arkansas on Friday evening. Officials said one person was killed and five were injured when a tornado hit Monette Manor, an 86-bed nursing home on the town's north side.
Tornado rips through Arkansas nursing home
Catastrophic damage has been reported Friday in a rural northeast Arkansas town after an apparent tornado ripped through the area.
Monette resident Bertha Ray told FOX Weather's Hunter Davis her uncle was in the nursing home when the storm hit. He's expected to be OK and is in the hospital for observation.
"I ran out to the storm cellar," Ray said. "I was praying and praying."
Monette, AR, survivor talks about moments tornado hit
A Monette, AR, woman is speaking to FOX Weather's Hunter Davis about what happened as the tornado hit her town.
Pictures from nearby Leachville, Arkansas, show much of the same devastation impacting businesses, including a Dollar General.
One other person was killed and seven others were injured in the storm.
The storms moved into Tennessee, where four people were killed on the western side of the state. The state Department of Health said the deaths were reported in Lake, Obion and Shelby counties.
Powerful straight-line winds accompanied the storm as it swept into Nashville with dozens of reports of toppled trees and power lines, with significant damage to some homes and businesses. The airport registered a gust of 78 mph -- the third-highest gust in the airport's history.
Storm damage reported throughout Tennessee
Three people were killed in Tennessee after severe storms produced tornadoes that impacted multiple counties along and north of I-40.
Downed trees and power lines have been reported in Decatur, Gibson, Henderson and Madison counties with storm damage observed in 12 other Tennessee counties.
Over 250,000 people lost power in the storms across the mid-South, as the supercell amid the storm system swept across 550 miles.
So far, at least 33 tornadoes were reported across six states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. The National Weather Service issued 149 tornado warnings through the night.
More than 100 tornado warnings were issued in more than half a dozen states. (FOX Weather)
HOW THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETERMINES A TORNADO IS TO BLAME FOR STORM DAMAGE
FedEx faces national shipping delays after 'substantial disruptions' at Memphis hub
FedEx said it experienced substantial disruptions at its Memphis, Tennessee, hub Friday night due to severe thunderstorms.
"Potential delays are possible for package deliveries across the U.S. with a delivery commitment of December 11, 2021," the company said. "FedEx is committed to provide service to the best of our ability."
Rare December tornado outbreak
The 33 reports of tornadoes so far ranks Dec. 10th as the 7th most active tornado day of the year in the nation, according to FOX Weather meteorologist and Senior Weather Data Specialist Shane Brown. The United States averages one tornado report in December.
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Safety personnel and first responders survey a damaged Amazon Distribution Center on December 11, 2021 in Edwardsville, Illinois. According to reports, the Distribution Center was struck by a tornado Friday night. Emergency vehicles arrived to start rescue operations for workers believed to be trapped inside.
(Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
A resident of the The Cardinal Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, looks at the damages done after a tornado touched down on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar WORD / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Volunteers help a homeowner whose house was detroyed by the May 20 tornado on May 27, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma.
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Bowling Green, Kentucky, residents look at the damage following a tornado that struck the area on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar Word / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: A tattered American flag flies at half-mast for Sen. Bob Dole in front of the heavy tornado-damaged courthouse on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: General view of tornado damage of the downtown area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: People search through a tornado-damaged building on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
At least two people were killed in a collapse at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois Friday night.
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MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities.
(Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Up to 200 people were reportedly trapped inside a candle factory.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
A tornado emergency is an enhanced warning to catch the attention of residents. The National Weather Service created the warning for the rare situation when a severe threat to human life is imminent or ongoing.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
Search and rescue operations are underway as catastrophic damage was reported.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
There were multiple reports of catastrophic damage within the city as a confirmed large tornado moved through the city.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
"The scope is just so massive in terms of the damage that you know this was a higher-end destructive and possibly deadly tornado that moved through here," Adair said.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
Storm chaser Brett Adair was there right after the tornado hit.
(Brett Adair / LSM)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Drone footage on Dec. 11, 2021, shows devastation after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 10, 2021.
(Michael Gordon / SCV)
Bowling Green, Kentucky, residents look at the damage following a tornado that struck the area on December 11, 2021.
(GUNNAR WORD/AFP)
Two volunteers chop a tree dmaged by a tornado that hit Bowling Green, Kentucky, on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar Word / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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TOPSHOT - A resident of the The Cardinal Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, looks at the damages done after a tornado touched down on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar WORD / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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Bowling Green, Kentucky, residents look at the damage following a tornado that struck the area on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar Word / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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TOPSHOT - Bowling Green, Kentucky, residents look at the damage following a tornado that struck the area on December 11, 2021. - Tornadoes ripped through five US states overnight, leaving more than 70 people dead Saturday in Kentucky and causing multiple fatalities at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois that suffered "catastrophic damage" with around 100 people trapped inside. The western Kentucky town of Mayfield was "ground zero" of the storm -- a scene of "massive devastation," one official said. (Photo by Gunnar Word / AFP) (Photo by GUNNAR WORD/AFP via Getty Images)
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Brown says eight Tornado Emergencies -- the most life-threatening and extreme tornado warning -- were issued Friday. Before the outbreak, there had only been seven such warnings issued in December combined since 1999.
"We will make it through this," Gov. Beshear said. "We will rebuild. We are strong, resilient people. And we’re going to be there every step of the way."