Multiple tornadoes were reported across the US on Friday, May 16, from Wisconsin to Kentucky, with officials reporting at least 21 dead. More tornadoes are expected over the weekend, forecasters said.

Tornadoes tore through the Upper Midwest and the Mideast U.S. on May 16 killing at least 21 and leaving many damaged homes and downed power lines.

A day after several tornadoes reportedly touched down and caused "significant damage" in western and central Wisconsin, at least 14 are reported dead in Kentucky where tornadoes and severe storms ravaged the region on May 16. Seven more deaths were reported in Missouri.

Forecasts of severe weather continue throughout the weekend with about 50 million people from Texas to New York at risk for tornadoes and thunderstorms on May 17 and 18, according to AccuWeather .

Tornado ravages St. Louis, 5 dead

The National Weather Service reported at least half a dozen tornadoes touching down in Missouri and neighboring Illinois.

Five people were killed when a tornado struck St. Louis; as many as 5,000 properties were damaged, officials said. "Our city is grieving tonight," St. Louis, Missouri, Mayor Cara Spencer said in a May 16 news conference when she announced five people died in the city.

Two more deaths were reported when a tornado hit rural parts of Scott County, Missouri about 130 miles to the south.

St. Louis resident Joan Miller had a narrow escape when a tornado struck her historic 1912 brick home and ripped away the walls.

"The wind started, the tree out front was shaking so violently," she told Reuters. "And suddenly all the doors shut, the windows flew out from the bedroom ... the entire back of my house ... you can see straight into the alley now."

Tornadoes ravage Kentucky, Indiana and Wisconsin

At least 14 people have died and others were injured in storms that struck Kentucky overnight, Gov. Andy Beshear reported. Nine of those deaths were reported in eastern Kentucky by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.

Additional injuries were reported in Louisville.

The same storm system that hit the St. Louis area also led to tornadoes in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. The Clear Creek Post Office was hit as were several other buildings. Transformers and power lines were strewn in the street in Bloomington, Indiana and a nearby post office was destroyed by a tornado.

Cleanup efforts continued in Wisconsin after at least seven tornadoes were reported on May 15. Then, on May 16, wind gusts reached 58 miles per hour.