Pakistan, May 17 -- Rescue operations resumed late Friday after strong storms, including a probable tornado, tore through the St. Louis area, leaving a trail of wreckage that left at least five people dead.

Emergency crews worked through the afternoon and evening to search buildings for survivors or anyone injured as high winds tore roofs from homes, shattered windows, and brought down trees and power lines across the region.

Mayor Cara Spencer described the damage as "truly devastating" and said more than 5,000 homes had been impacted. She announced that the city was declaring a state of emergency and had enacted an overnight curfew in the hardest-hit neighbourhoods to ensure public safety.

As of Friday night, around 100,000 customers...