A violent, tornado-spawning storm system tore across the central US, leaving at least 25 people dead in Missouri and southeastern Kentucky as it cut a path of destruction through several states.

The storms were part of a weather system Friday that touched down in Missouri and Wisconsin and left several hundred thousand customers without power in the Great Lakes region.

Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late Friday.

At least five people have died and more than 5,000 buildings were damaged after a tornado tore through St Louis in Missouri. The tornado swept along a major road, tearing roofs off houses, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines on Friday evening.

At least five people died and others were hurt after severe weather including a possible tornado swept through St. Louis, the mayor said.