Tornadoes, storms kill more than 30: See photos from Kentucky, Missouri, other states

Tornadoes and severe weather tore through the Upper Midwest and the Mideast U.S. on May 16 killing more than 30 and leaving many damaged homes and downed power lines.

A day after several tornadoes reportedly touched down and caused "significant damage" in western and central Wisconsin, at least 23 are reported dead in Kentucky where tornadoes and severe storms ravaged the region on May 16. Seven more deaths were reported in Missouri. Two died in Virginia in separate incidents with trees falling on their vehicles, officials said.

Forecasts of severe weather continue throughout the weekend with about 50 million people from Texas to New York at risk for tornadoes and thunderstorms on May 17 and 18, according to AccuWeather.

Tornado ravages St. Louis, 5 dead

The National Weather Service reported at least half a dozen tornadoes touching down in Missouri and neighboring Illinois.

Five people were killed when a tornado struck St. Louis; as many as 5,000 properties were damaged, officials said. "Our city is grieving tonight," St. Louis, Missouri, Mayor Cara Spencer said in a May 16 news conference when she announced five people died in the city.

Two more deaths were reported when a tornado hit rural parts of Scott County, Missouri about 130 miles to the south.

St. Louis resident Joan Miller had a narrow escape when a tornado struck her historic 1912 brick home and ripped away the walls.

"The wind started, the tree out front was shaking so violently," she told Reuters. "And suddenly all the doors shut, the windows flew out from the bedroom ... the entire back of my house ... you can see straight into the alley now."

More photos: See the devastation after deadly tornadoes, severe storms hit Kentucky, Missouri

Tornadoes ravage Kentucky, Indiana and Wisconsin

At least 23 people have died and others were injured in storms that struck Kentucky overnight, according to officials. Most of the deaths were reported in eastern Kentucky's Laurel County.

Additional injuries were reported in Louisville.

About 83,000 Kentucky residents were without power as of Saturday early afternoon, Gov. Beshear said.

The same storm system that hit the St. Louis area also led to tornadoes inIndiana and Illinois. The Clear Creek Post Office was hit as were several other buildings. Transformers and power lines were strewn in the street in Bloomington, Indiana and a nearby post office was destroyed by a tornado.

Cleanup efforts continued in Wisconsin after at least seven tornadoes were reported on May 15. Then, on May 16, wind gusts reached 58 miles per hour.