"The scale of devastation across our state is staggering," Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said. "While we grieve the lives of those lost, we are also focused on action."

Violent tornadoes ripped through parts of the U.S., wiping out schools and toppling semitractor-trailers, part of a monster storm that has killed at least 40 people across six states.

Tornadoes whipped through Missouri on Friday night, ripping apart homes, businesses, and the electrical system. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Office says at least 12 people have been killed and one person is still missing from the severe weather.

Violent tornadoes and high winds decimated homes, wiped out schools and toppled semitractor-trailers as a monster storm that killed at least 32 people ripped its way across the central and southern U.