The Kentucky tornado struck Laurel County in the south-east of the state in the early hours of Saturday. St Louis Fire Department said three people had to be rescued after part of the nearby Centennial Christian Church collapsed. St Louis mayor Spencer said: "The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. The US National Weather Service said tornadoes also hit neighbouring Illinois, with more severe weather conditions stretching eastwards to the Atlantic coast. The tornadoes struck an area of the US that is generally referred to as "Tornado Alley", where tornadoes are most frequent.