3 Die in Missouri as Violent Tornado Hits Central US

The National Weather Service said it received 22 reports of tornadoes by late Wednesday, though some could be duplicated sightings. Missouri DPS tweeted at 2:30 am CST there were tornado warnings across the state. "Flash flooding hazard will expand as rain continues," it said.

A large tornado passed north of Joplin, Missouri, exactly 8 years after a twister there killed 161 people. Radar imagery detected debris lofted thousands of feet into the air as the twister traveled through small cities including Carl Junction and Oronogo, Missouri. Severe storms affected millions from Oklahoma to Illinois, Axios reported.

Tornado watches were put in place for areas from Oklahoma City northeast to central Illinois through much of the night, including some labeled "Particularly Dangerous Situation" watches, indicating a heightened risk of life-threatening severe weather.

Since Tuesday alone, there have been at least 60 tornado reports.

The risk of tornadoes, flash flooding and severe thunderstorms will continue into Thursday morning, as a frontal boundary remains draped across the nation's midsection. Weather disturbances rippling along were helping to spark rounds of storms.

Record rainfall has fallen in much of the Central US this spring, with more than a foot in some places in the past few days, causing dangerous flooding to occur. Numerous evacuations were reportedly underway in Oklahoma, Kansas and nearby states due to rising waters, per weather.com. In eastern Oklahoma, 2 barges broke loose Wednesday night on the flooded Arkansas River, per AP.

Videos posted on social media show violent tornado ripping through Jefferson City, Missouri.