THIS is the moment a mammoth wedge tornado rips a path of destruction killing three and causing thousands to lose power.
The deathly winds tore through parts of North Dakota – devastating homes and swallowing electric cables.
Two men and one woman have been confirmed dead by officials in two areas around the town of Enderlin, North Dakota south of Fargo.
Shocking footages shows the sky illuminated by lightening as a dense and mushrooming cloud swirls.
Severe weather, including large hail and strong winds, caused significant damage in Northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. The towns of Spiritwood, Valley City, and Fort Ransom were among the most impacted areas on Friday.
Some 25,000 residents were left without power as some areas like Sheldon stuck without electricity until Saturday evening.
While the brutal storm was confirmed as a tornado crews are still working to determine its strength and wind speeds.
According to meteorologist Timothy Lynch, the storm generated winds reaching up to 114 mph in parts of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.
“I’ve not seen one since I’ve been here. I’ve been here seven years.”
While the total extent of the destruction is still unknown, many homes experienced severe damage, including roofs being blown off and buildings being damaged.
Michaela and Colton Briss live in the path where the tornado travelled north.
The couple were forced to hide in their basement as the twister destroyed their home’s windows and door frames, reports Inforum.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong said: “Our hearts and sympathies go out to the family and friends of the three North Dakotans who tragically lost their lives in Friday’s tornado, and to the close-knit community in Enderlin, which suffered widespread damage.
“We thank our dedicated first responders and community leaders, including our many volunteer first responders, for their swift action to keep residents safe and help them recover.”
This comes just a couple of months after a tornado ripped through Arkansas and rumbled Mirrouri.
At least four people were reported dead in neighbouring Tennessee and Missouri as the tornadoes battered the wider region.
What is a wedge tornado?
A “WEDGE” tornado is the informal name for a particular kind of storm.
As the title suggests, these are tornadoes where the storm cuts a distinctive wedge shape against the sky.
In a wedge tornado, the centre of the storm is highly-concentrated at a single spot, drawing in clouds from a wide area above.
This is what give the storm such a tight triangular shape.
The dense epicentre of a wedge tornado means the surrounding winds reach exceptional speeds – sometimes faster than 200mph.
And that makes this kind of storm especially deadly.
Dramatic footage showed a dense grey wedge blotting out the sky.
Whilst huge clouds were seen dragged into the centre, which swirled down to the ground.
Bright fiery flashes were captured sparking amongst the dark mass as electricity cables were torn from their masts.
Debris could be seen flying around the tornado as it smashed through trees and buildings.
The storm was first spotted just east of Jonesboro, before it tore a northeasterly path towards the state line with Missouri.
Winds of almost 200mph accompanied the violent vortex, adding to the carnage.
Brandon Copic, a storm chaser for Fox Weather, who braved an approach, said at the time: “It’s coming very close to me. There is an audible roar with it right now.”
Weather experts estimated it was at least a four on EF scale, with some signs of being even stronger.
A category four storm is characterised as a violent with wind speeds between 166 and 200 mph, capable of causing catastrophic damage, levelling well-built structures, and tossing vehicles and large objects.
