Photos of storm damage in Glen Allen, Missouri, from Bollinger County resident Joshua Wells

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was only on the ground for about 15 minutes — but it caused widespread devastation in the area, leaving at least five confirmed dead and an unknown number injured. 

A large tornado tore through southeastern Missouri before dawn on Wednesday, killing at least five people and causing widespread destruction as a broad swath of the Midwest and South kept a wary eye out for further storms that could spawn additional twisters and hail.