The death toll in Oklahoma has risen to five, including a Mother and a baby, after tornadoes touched down just west of Oklahoma City around noonSaturday NZT/Friday evening Oklahoma Time. 

A worse case scenario has emerged in the city today – around dusk local time.  Despite the death toll climbing to five, it appears a repeat of last weeks deadly EF5 tornado has not occurred.  Multiple tornadoes have hit the city however.

With darkness now underway the extent of the damage won’t be known until later tonight NZT when sun rises over America.

Motorways become giant parking lots with people appearing to have ignored forecasters warnings today.  The storms forms out of blue skies in just 15 minutes.  Motorists have been hurt and some are now listed as missing.

The risk for tornadoes has now eased in Oklahoma City – but flash flooding and baseball sized hail followed shortly after.

Tornado risks moved into Missouri, the next state over, where the city of St Louis was hit by damaging gales and continuous lightning. 

Straight line winds have also caused serous problems across St Louis.

The storms have eased somewhat but are still severe in nature and as of 5pm NZT Saturday the thunderstorms and tornado risks were pushing across the state of Illinois.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz