The scale and devastation of tornado-hit Mayfield, in Kentucky, has been revealed after aerial photographs captured the extent of the damage.
More than 100 people are feared to have died in the state after the storm overnight on Friday, Governor Andy Beshear said during a press conference on Saturday.
“The devastation is unlike anything I have seen in my life and I have trouble putting it into words,” Beshear said.
Forty workers have rescued from a candle factory in Mayfield, where 110 people had been inside.
One worker, who shot a Facebook Live while trapped under the rubble, said the factory had been “completely demolished.”
Kyanna Parsons-Perez told CNN: “I watched an interview earlier today and the man, he was a storm chaser, and he says that it looked like a landfield—that’s exactly what it looked like.”
Aerial photos of Mayfield show the devastating path taken by the tornado as it ripped through the small city.
The images showed homes and businesses flattened in the city with roofs having been ripped off and walls knocked flat.
Debris littered the roads and cars had been left scattered in a neighborhood that had been almost completely decimated.
Other photographs showed homes half standing, with large segments of the property having been completely destroyed.
Some 189 National Guard personnel have been deployed to Kentucky in order to assist with the recovery, according to Reuters.
The news agency added most of the rescue efforts will focus on Mayfield and the southwestern corner of the state where it borders Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
On Saturday, Beshear said in a tweet: “Today Kentucky is absolutely united. We are united with our people, united to find and rescue as many as possible, united to grieve and united to be here for our impacted families – not just today, but in the years to come so we can rebuild together.”
Tornadoes were reported in six states on Friday and Saturday,
Elsewhere, an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, suffered a partial collapse after a tornado damaged the building, leaving at least six dead with another person airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos said in a statement shared on Twitter: “The news from Edwardsville is tragic. We’re heartbroken over the loss of our teammates there, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones.
“All of Edwardsville should know that the Amazon team is committed to supporting them and will be by their side through this crisis. We extend our fullest gratitude to all the incredible first responders who have worked so tirelessly at the site.”
Newsweek has contacted Gov. Beshear’s office for comment.