Severe weather kills at least 23 people in US Midwest and South

Parts of St Louis were left devastated (AP)

Storm systems sweeping across parts of the US Midwest and South have left at least 23 dead, including nine people who were killed after what appeared to be a tornado in south-east Kentucky.

In Kentucky, some 14 people were killed by severe weather, and the death toll is likely to rise, according to state governor Andy Beshear.