At least 16 people were killed when severe weather, including possible tornadoes, swept through parts of Missouri and Kentucky from Friday into Saturday morning.

Axar.az reports, citing NBC news, nine were dead in Laurel County, Kentucky, said Sheriff John Root, with "numerous severe injuries." He said a tornado touched down late Friday night and that the search for survivors continued.

Five were killed in St. Louis, and two others in Scott County, in southeastern Missouri, according to officials.

Speaking at an evening news conference, St. Louis officials said over 5,000 homes may have been affected by the afternoon's outbreak of severe weather.