A stop sign stuck to a post, surrounded by tornado damage and debris in the background in Stockton, southwest Missouri. Photo by AP
At least 37 people were killed as tornado-packed storms flattened communities in three US states. Ten people were missing, including eight in this southwestern Missouri town. The storms were blamed for at least 17 deaths in Missouri, seven in Kansas and 13 in Tennessee, where a single tornado carved a 65-mile path of destruction. It was "the most devastating series of tornadoes we've ever had in the state of Missouri," Gov. Bob Holden said after walking the rubble-strewn streets of Pierce City.