A powerful storm system left behind a path a destruction across parts of middle and southern United States Wednesday, leaving 12 people dead.

The system spawned a tornado that first struck the small town of Harrisburg, Illinois, killing six people and injuring 100 other residents. Officials say between 250 and 300 homes were damaged or destroyed.

Tornadoes killed three other people in Missouri, and caused significant destruction in the entertainment resort town of Branson, where 37 people where injured and several theaters and hotels damaged close to the start of the tourist season. Strong storms killed three other people in the southeastern state of Tennessee.

Forecasters say the storm system also spawned tornadoes in Kansas and Kentucky, although there were no immediate reports of casualties.