Tornado strikes Joplin, Mo., with cataclysmic force, leaving at least 89 dead: Missouri officials

A deadly toado that ripped through Joplin, Mo., killed at least 116 people and left a 6-mile-long, half-mile wide swath of devastation in its wake, officials said Monday.

There was also a ray of good news in the disaster. Authorities report that seven people were rescued from the ruined homes, churches and schools in the funnel's path.

Tossing cars and trees like children's toys, the sinister twister sliced like a knife through the southside of this 50,000 population town.

"It cut the city in half," city Fire Chief Mark Randles said.

Debris from a devastated hospital - including medical records and X-rays - was blown up to 60 miles away.

Rescuers went door-to-door but were slowed by downed power lines, jagged debris and gas-fed fires that raged throughout the city.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said it was feared the death toll would rise, but they also expected to find survivors amid the rubble.

"I don't think we are done counting," he said. "I still believe that because of the size of the debris and the number of people involved that there are lives to be saved."

The devastating funnel cloud destroyed St. John's Regional Medical Center - killing at least four there - leveled a school and heavily damaged scores of homes and churches with its 165 mph winds.

In all, 2,000 buildings were damaged, officials said.

"You see pictures of World War II, the devastation and all that with the bombing. That's really what it looked like," said Joplin High School Principal Kerry Sachetta. "I just couldn't believe what I saw."

The Joplin twister was one of 68 that touched down across seven Midwest states. At least one person was killed in Minnesota, but the devastation was by far the heaviest in Missouri.

The killer storm comes just weeks after a similar series of deadly twisters killed more than 300 people across the south.

Aftermath: Aerial footage of the destruction in Joplin, Missouri, where a massive toado tore straight through the city

Devastation: Destroyed homes and debris cover the ground as a second storm moves in on Monday in Joplin, Missouri

Path of destruction: No house escaped the wrath of nature in some of Minneapolis

Desolation: A residential neighbourhood in Joplin is seen after it was levelled by the toado

Re-united: A man carries a young girl who was rescued after being trapped with her mother in their home

Devastation: Emergency personnel walk through a neighbourhood severely damaged by a toado near the Joplin hospital. There are are no firm details on the number of dead or injured, as the hospital is out of action