At least 23 people were killed and dozens were injured during thunderstorms that hit eight Midwestern states on Sunday, CNN reported the following day.

Tennessee was hardest hit, with tornadoes striking five counties killing 19 people along a 40-km path. In Gibson County alone, it's estimated that 1,200 buildings were damaged.

Severe thunderstorms, many producing tornadoes, also struck Iowa, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

Strong winds caused at least three deaths in Missouri. Another person was killed when a clothing store collapsed during a storm in Illinois.

The U.S. National Weather Service said it had received preliminary reports of 63 tornadoes.

About a half-dozen tornadoes struck Arkansas and one destroyed nearly half of the town of Marmaduke.

In Missouri, the city of Caruthersville was wiped out but there were no known deaths in the city of 6,700.

Severe thunderstorms also struck Indianapolis as thousands of fans left a free concert.

Source: Xinhua