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,

A strong line of storms and heavy winds on Friday afternoon killed at least four people, tore away roofs and walls, uprooted trees and crushed cars across the the St. Louis area.

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.