A storm that produced a devastating tornado in the St. Louis, Missouri, area Friday afternoon has left at least five people dead and at least 10 injured, according to local authorities.

A significant severe weather outbreak is unfolding across the Midwest and Ohio Valley on Friday, placing more than 146 million individuals under alert.

Mid-May is living up to its reputation for severe weather as an active weather pattern brings the threat of strong tornadoes, damaging hail and intense, destructive wind gusts over multiple days.

At least five people have died and more than 5,000 buildings were damaged after a tornado tore through St Louis in Missouri. The tornado swept along a major road, tearing roofs off houses, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines on Friday evening.