‘Extensive’ damage reported in Jefferson City tornado

A “large” tornado struck the Missouri state capital shortly before midnight on Wednesday night doing extensive damage.

In Jefferson City, the state capital, there is extensive damage along Ellis Boulevard near Highway 54. Power lines are down. Traffic is being diverted as @MSHPTrooperGHQ & local first responders go door-to-door. Consider all power lines live.
Stay out of areas with damage. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/cPWQi1tzCJ

— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado struck around 11:45 p.m. and resulted in significant damage.

A local news reporter said, via Twitter, that Missouri Task Force One has been activated to help as rescue operations were ongoing. And Jefferson City hospitals have entered disaster mode.

Missouri Task Force One has been activated at the request of the Jefferson City Fire Department, according to Gale Bloomenkamp of the Boone County Fire Protection District #ABC17News

— Barry Mangold ABC 17 News (@BarryMangold) May 23, 2019

Jefferson City hospitals have entered distaster mode, and are calling their staff back in, per Chief Matt Lindewirth of @ColeCountyEMS. Extensive damage reported in Cole, Miller Counties and Jefferson City. #ABC17News

— Barry Mangold ABC 17 News (@BarryMangold) May 23, 2019