(Photo: REUTERS/Marvin Gentry)David Brassfield hugs his daughter Melissa Rasco as she arrives at his house in Trussville after the neighborhood was hit by tornadoes early January 23, 2012.
At least 15 tornadoes have been reported in the Midwest overnight, and more are still developing, as the death toll continues to grow.
As reports continue coming in, the devastation of the overnight tornadoes is becoming much more clear. Several cities in the Midwestern states of Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri are waking up to see just how much the tornadoes destroyed.
In Harrisburg, Ill., 10 people have died as a result of the storms that caused extensive damage and destroyed up to 40 homes. Harveyville, Kan. is described as "one of the hardest-hit towns" by the violent storms, according to The Weather Channel.
40 percent of the town has been severely affected, according to Sharon Watson of the network.
Missouri has reported three deaths, bringing the total to 13 overall; the number is expected to grow. Branson, Mo., a tourist favorite for country music lovers, was also hit particularly hard.
"I came out of my neighborhood to go to work, and within minutes we could not get back into our neighborhood due to downed trees and power lines. Our neighbor's home had the roof ripped off," said reporter Monte Schisler. "The world-famous Highway 76 strip was almost like a war zone."
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Microsoft Network reports that at least 32 people were treated at a clinic in Branson but notes that injuries could have been drastically increased had the storm hit next week, when more tourists were expected.
"If was a week later, it'd be a different story," noted Bill Tirone, manager of the Hilton hotel.
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