At least 24 injured people have been taken to hospital after a “devastating” tornado hit Little Rock, Arkansas, according to the city’s mayor.
The twister churned through the state’s capital city on Friday, flipping cars, smashing roofs and toppling trees.
Several blocks have been heavily damaged, according to aerial footage posted by the Weather Channel.
Nearly 90 million people in 15 US states are under threat from an “explosive” storm system.
A state of emergency has also been declared in Missouri and two tornados were reported in Iowa.
Golf ball-sized hail fell in Illinois, damaging car windows.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard after what she described as “significant damage” in central Arkansas.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr tweeted that the tornado in that city was “devastating”.
In a tweet on Friday evening he said that no deaths had yet been reported, but “property damage is extensive”.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center in Little Rock said it was expecting at least 15-20 patients.
Baptist Health Medical Center, the state’s biggest hospital, said it had five patients in a critical condition.
Baptist Health Medical Center, the state’s biggest hospital, said it had five patients in a critical condition.
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