Missouri tornadoes: Storms sweep through state, killing 3 and slamming Jefferson City

Violent storms and tornadoes slammed Missouri late Wednesday, leaving three people dead and pummeling the state's capital, officials said.

Explore>> PHOTOS: Deadly tornadoes sweep through Missouri

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According to The Associated Press, a "large and destructive tornado" hit Jefferson City before midnight, National Weather Service officials said. The twister caused several injuries, trapped residents, destroyed homes and buildings, and knocked out power to nearly 13,000 people, KOMU-TV reported.

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No deaths have been reported in connection with the Jefferson City tornado, police said in a news conference early Thursday.

>> Watch a video from the scene here

WATCH: Storm chaser Ricky Jarvis captured this video Wednesday night as the storm approached Jefferson City.
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/6FhGZdt445 pic.twitter.com/5ehTaQlU9s
— KRCG 13 (@KRCG13) May 23, 2019

>> See photos from Jefferson City

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

@MSHPTrooperF is in Jefferson City assisting @JeffCityPolice and Cole County Sheriff Dept. after tonight’s tornado. If you are NOT affected, please avoid the area. You will see several power lines down in these pictures. Treat them as though they are live. #MoWx pic.twitter.com/JHyNNfDX8F
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) May 23, 2019

The news came after officials said three people were killed when a "suspected tornado" struck Golden City, NBC News reported.

>> See the tweet here

Law enforcement can confirm three fatalities in the Golden City area of Barton County and several injuries in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County. #MoWx #GoldenCity #CarlJunction
— MO Public Safety (@MoPublicSafety) May 23, 2019

Tornado damage also was reported in Carl Junction, where several people were hurt, according to NBC News. One social media user shared a dramatic video of the twister sweeping through the area.

>> Watch the video here

Looking SE from Central CJ @ 8:13 pm
Posted by Chris Higgins on Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Earlier this week, storms were blamed for three more deaths – including two in Missouri and one in Iowa – and a possible fourth in Oklahoma, the AP reported.