The Tri-State Tornado barreled across more than 200 miles, decimating entire towns in and leaving thousands homeless on March 18, 1925.

From Logan School's top floor, 11-year-old Othella Silvey should have been able to see her house easily — it was less than two blocks away. But after a monstrous tornado ripped through the Illinois town of Murphysboro on March 18,

"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."

Nine of the 12 fatalities reported during last week's severe weather outbreak occurred in Wayne and Ozark counties.

Initial reports suggest as many as 19 tornadoes hit Missouri over the weekend. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s Office said the twisters left widespread destruction in 27 Missouri counties – killing at least 12 people and leaving one person missing.