A powerful tornado tore through homes in Missouri, leaving a trail of destruction.

Dramatic footage captured by resident Ryan from a balcony shows debris flying through the air amid intense winds and a downpour on May 16, in the DeBaliviere Place neighbourhood in St. Louis.

Officials confirmed that at least seven people were killed when the funnel-shaped weather phenomenon swept through the region on Friday.

Five of the victims were from St. Louis, while two others were reported from Scott County.

Authorities said the twisters were part of a larger system of severe weather that affected several states across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

The storms brought large hail, damaging winds, and multiple tornadoes, some of which were classified as strong.

Missouri has a history of extreme weather events, including flooding and tornadic activity during the spring months.

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. It is often visible as a funnel-shaped cloud and is capable of causing widespread destruction in a matter of minutes.