National Weather Service says ‘ingredients for devastation’ caused monster tornado outbreak

Communities and local governments are reeling after at least 30 tornadoes were reported across six states Friday night: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.

[sierranexi]

The tornado derailed a freight train. The sheer power to lift something like that is pretty unbelievable.

[addieerin]

I live in kentucky, and let me just say, last night was probably one of the scariest nights of my life.

[BlueSkyCountry]

The Mayfield one was a long track F5 that ran for 200 miles from AR to KY. This one broke the record previously set by the 1925 Tri-State tornado. RIP to those who we lost last night.

[charmedkitten]

I’m in TN. i was asleep when the sirens went off. My sister called and woke me up. The way it sounded outside was haunting! Only damage in my area was the debris from trees. Power went out around 4a, and didn’t come back on until 4p. My sister lives 10 min away from me, and they got their power back around 9p. Our little sister is about 15 min away, and their power never went out. Hearts and prayers go out to KY, and other areas effected.

[ushertheclmax]

It's terrifying how tornados can knock over buildings like a house of cards

[exec]

As someone who lost everything but lived through a direct hit from an EF4 back in April 2011 (same system that hit Tuscaloosa and made its way into GA and TN), my heart goes out to these people and their families. My town also didn’t have much warning and the sirens only went off once the funnel was already coming over us.

[DJWarwing]

Illinois here. News was warning us of this getting bad a week prior after we nearly had one this past Sunday when a storm formed at West Frankfort and knocked it over a bit. But if you take a close look at the patterns and know what to look for, it's easy to expect if tornado will likely happen or not. The temperature was expected to be a record high 70 degrees Friday and planning to drop all the way down to 39 by the night, and air and thunderstorms get REAL angry with huge temperature shifts like that, so you'd HAVE to expect some funnels to form somewhere.

Thankfully, the local tornado siren was still operational, and my family all get alerts on their phone. Even more so, the storm passed just north of us, so we were spared, with the exception of some big wind gusts and annoying hail. But I knew deep down that this was going to get bad, honestly half expected not to survive this one. My heart goes to the victims of this disaster.

[whitehammer]

“My buddies out here trying to finish his cigarette.” Facts.

[drewschmidt]

They say in IL that the warnings came way in advance and everyone knew... yet the Amazon warehouse stayed open. Poor Amazon employees, what kind of trash management has people working during multiple tornado warnings and shelter in place warnings at 3am.

[gemcan]

Cold air after very warm air should be a good warning to take cover. Defiance Mo had two deaths as well, just before the Edwardsville IL Amazon warehouse deaths.

[cactusjess]

Our sympathies and condolences to the families that have lost loved ones. Our hearts and prayers to everyone affected by these terrifying and destructive storms.

[kiradaniels]

Was visiting my parents in ky and my cousins living in mayfield. I don’t get afraid of storms or tornadoes usually but this one was terrifying. Couldn’t sleep and now that’s it’s over I still can’t sleep.
My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and lost their lives. Those who lost homes, belongings and keepsakes that held memories. We need to come together more than ever right now. 💕

[loveforeignaccents]

Unbelievable... just devastating. My thoughts and prayers going out to all those impacted.

[catboi]

This was a terrifying experience and I'm so grateful it missed our house.

[jazzyjan]

Wow, major damage to many peoples lives. Never take time for granted, especially now a days.

[JR-wugf]

Wow I feel devasted to the family members of those lost in that candle factory.
Parents, sons, and daughters lost because they were trying to put food on the table.
I can’t believe people were working in the midst of this chaos

[westhouse]

The city is under curfew? Sure let me just sit inside the outline of where my house used to be.

[missmissy]

Dramatic change in temperature is ALWAYS KNOWN for a storm to come PERIOD
I live in Michigan and always expect a bad storm when this happens. My family in Alabama also knows this. News or not. Be prepared when this happens.

[AkamoriArt]

As someone who lives in western KY because I cant afford to leave. I would never be able to understand someone choosing to live here. I have dealt with this kind of thing for 30+ years. And it legitimately ruined a good majority of my life.

We weren't in a tornado yesterday, but the stress from the storms put my grandmother in an ambulance and shes still in the hospital today.

I could never imagine living here by choice.

[jediknight]

It looks like the entire town has been wiped out of existence. As if it had been bombed from the air.