'A violent tornado that has swept through the US state of Missouri has killed 116 people with the damage estimated to be over $1billion, says risk and loss estimator Eqecat.

Hundreds of people are still missing and the estimate of possible losses from the deadly mega-tornado on insured property was only preliminary, Eqecat stressed. The city of Joplin was the worst hit. City Manager Mark Rohr said the twister cut through the center of the town and left a nearly six-mile-long path in the middle of the city.'

Read more: Missouri Tornado Death Toll at 116