A state of emergency has been declared in the Midwest US state of Missouri after it was hit by a tornado which left at least 30 dead and hundreds trapped inside collapsed buildings.
Further storms are expected later this week and governor Jay Nixon has warned. "I urge Missourians to keep a close eye on the latest weather information and to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency personnel as these deadly storms continue to move through our state," he said.
The tornado tore through the city of Joplin, knocking down buildings that lay in its wake and ripping down power lines. Other parts of Missouri also suffered some damage, although not as severe.
Last month, tornadoes and storms killed at least 350 people in Alabama and six other southern states.
