Rescue crews are still assessing the damage this morning after a violent and catastrophic tornado hit Jefferson City, Missouri’s state capital last night, collapsing buildings and downing trees and power lines throughout the city:

Rescue crews continue to respond to calls of people trapped in collapsed buildings two hours after a massive tornado hit Jefferson City. Also numerous reports of gas odors, downed power lines and “walking wounded,” along with broken bones and a possible amputation. — Judy Thomas (@judylthomas) May 23, 2019

The damage is extensive:

In Jefferson City, the state capital, there is extensive damage along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54. Power lines are down. Traffic is being diverted as @MSHPTrooperGHQ & local first responders go door-to-door. Consider all power lines live.

Stay out of areas with damage. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/cPWQi1tzCJ — MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

Tornado hit Jefferson City, Missouri overnight causing massive damage. pic.twitter.com/9PCK01uM4I — Erin Thomas (@ErinThomasWx) May 23, 2019

The Missouri Department of Public Safety is reporting at least 3 dead and 9 injured:

Law enforcement can confirm three fatalities in the Golden City area of Barton County and several injuries in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County. #MoWx#GoldenCity #CarlJunction — MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

There are erroneous reports that 100 people are hospitalized in Jefferson City due to the tornado. The State Emergency Operations Center has confirmed nine patients at Jefferson City hospitals due to storm-related injuries. #MoWx #jeffersoncity #JeffersonCityMo — MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

All non-essential state employees are being asked to stay home today:

Due to the tornado and severe weather in Jefferson City last night we are asking that all non-essential state employees in the Jefferson City area remain at home on Thursday. We have damage to state buildings and power is down in some areas. Please be safe! — Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) May 23, 2019

All non-essential Missouri state employees who work in Jefferson City should NOT report to work today. There is damage to some state buildings, others need to be fully assessed and power is down in some areas. We will keep you posted. — MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

First responders had to bring in search dogs to go through the debris:

Search dogs are out at Ellis Blvd in Jefferson City. @KOMUnews pic.twitter.com/937vWsYiPt — Landon Burke (@landonjburke) May 23, 2019

@MSHPTrooperF is in Jefferson City assisting @JeffCityPolice and Cole County Sheriff Dept. after tonight’s tornado. If you are NOT affected, please avoid the area. You will see several power lines down in these pictures. Treat them as though they are live. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/JHyNNfDX8F — MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) May 23, 2019

Video of the aftermath:

Tornado damage at Jefferson City, MO… video from Mylon Cortez pic.twitter.com/7DlKbRJ2cN — James Spann (@spann) May 23, 2019

And here’s a photo snapped of the tornado last night:

This is absolutely terrifying:

New video from Brae Smith shows the outline of a tornado against a backdrop of lightning from the Travel Lodge Hotel in Jefferson City. pic.twitter.com/fSfNb4qZC3 — Cory Johnson (@coryjohnson48) May 23, 2019

The debris field from the tornado was visible on radar “after half an hour and about 20 miles downstream”:

Debris from the Jefferson City tornado is still falling out of the storm after half an hour and about 20 miles downstream. pic.twitter.com/9KJUa7nFyl — Dennis Mersereau (@wxdam) May 23, 2019

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