Roofs peeled from buildings and trees and utility lines toppled. The fire chief says at least 20 square blocks of the city are damaged.

A tornado ripped through St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, killing at least five people and damaging 5,000 properties as it tore off roofs, knocked down power lines and swept through a major thoroughfare during rush-hour traffic,

At least five people died and others were hurt after severe weather including a possible tornado swept through St. Louis, the mayor said.