From The Tribune staff reports
BOWLING GREEN, KY — Overnight a series of tornadoes hammered multiple states across the country. Officials estimate that at least 30 tornadoes hit areas in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Local reports estimate that as many as 100 people have died, though the tally right now from officials is “at least 50.”
Meteorologists with the National Weather service believe at least one of those tornadoes was on the ground for some 200 miles, a “long-track” tornado similar to the one that hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in April of 2011.
A candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky took a direct hit while around 110 employees were working. The nearby Graves County Courthouse and county jail were also struck; in Edwardsville, Illinois, an Amazon fulfillment center was destroyed; in Monette, Arkansas at least one person was killed and more than 20 injured when a tornado hit a nursing home.
Central Alabama was also under a tornado watch following the events from Friday evening and Saturday morning. However, as of 9 a.m. on Saturday, the watch had been lifted.