Tornado-spawning storms leave 25 dead in 2 states and swaths of destruction across central US
A catastrophic storm system, capable of producing tornadoes, swept through the central United States, resulting in a minimum of 25 fatalities in Missouri and southeastern Kentucky as it carved a path of devastation across multiple states. The 18 fatalities in Kentucky followed earlier reports of deaths in the St. Louis region, which experienced extensive damage, with seven casualties confirmed in Missouri.
Tornadoes of significant magnitude have been documented in Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. The storms caused extensive damage to residences and knocked down power lines throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes, stemming from the same system that generated destructive weather and tornadoes the previous Thursday. As of Saturday, approximately 459,000 homes and businesses across a dozen states were without electricity, with Missouri, Kentucky, and Michigan being among the most severely affected, according to Poweroutage.us. This event is part of a prolonged series of severe weather conditions expected to continue into early next week. As the system responsible for the deadly tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky weakens, another wave of severe storms is anticipated near the Mexico border, placing over 20 million Americans in the Southwest at risk.
Southeastern Kentucky has suffered significant damage. The National Weather Service confirmed a radar-detected, 'large and extremely hazardous' tornado that moved eastward across lower Kentucky shortly after midnight. Visual evidence from southeastern Kentucky reveals a path of devastation that initiated in Pulaski County and progressed into the adjacent Laurel County, resulting in at least 18 fatalities and 10 individuals in critical condition statewide. Footage depicted extensive destruction to structures, vehicles, trees, and infrastructure following the tornado's passage. 'I have now overseen 14 federally declared disasters, 13 of which were weather-related, and this is among the most severe,' stated Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during a press conference on Saturday evening. 'It ranks as one of the worst in terms of human casualties and damage.' Governor Beshear has declared a state of emergency and has sought a federal disaster declaration.
Mahala Watts recounted to CNN affiliate WLKY that her family was watching the news after 11 p.m. on Friday when their phones began emitting tornado alerts. She took their dog, and the family sought shelter in the central bathroom of their Laurel County home. The storm suddenly roared overhead while the family was 'breathing in all the debris.' They dropped to their hands and knees, as Watts recounted. A bathroom mirror fell on her just before the noise ceased. 'We were just praying, scared it would return,' she said. 'We had no idea the roof was gone, and the refrigerator was blocking the bathroom door.' Watts informed WLKY that her family climbed over the refrigerator and stood outside in the darkness, apprehensive of another strike. Vehicles were overturned, and debris was scattered everywhere. They utilized a relative's vehicle to reach a hospital for safety before eventually finding accommodation in a hotel after the storm had passed.
Aerial footage captured over London, Kentucky, during daylight on Saturday revealed a vast expanse of destruction, featuring damaged and overturned vehicles alongside flattened homes, as first responders diligently searched through the debris for potential survivors.
Located approximately 75 miles south of Lexington, London experienced significant devastation. Reports from CNN affiliate WLKY indicated that several aircraft at the London-Corbin Airport sustained damage, with one medical helicopter being destroyed; officials noted that at least one airplane was caught in a funnel cloud, resulting in leveled hangars and other structures. In a separate video from Laurel County, first responders were observed arriving in the Sunshine Hills area, which was characterized by a desolate landscape filled with twisted vehicles, fallen trees, and heaps of debris. Mayor Randall Weddle informed CNN affiliate WKYT that seventeen fatalities had been reported in Laurel County, including in London, with one of the deceased being Maj. Leslie Roger Leatherman of the Laurel County Fire Department, who was responding to the storm, as stated by the governor on Saturday. Weddle expressed his shock, stating, 'I have never personally witnessed what I’ve witnessed here tonight. There’s a lot of devastation.' Police in Corbin, located south of London, were attending to mutual aid requests for tornado victims and described the destruction as overwhelming. The department urged the community to 'Stop and pray for Laurel County residents and victims of the tornado that touched down there.' Pulaski County Judge Executive Marshall Todd declared a state of emergency, with cleanup efforts underway, as county spokesperson John Alexander reported one fatality in the county. Significant damage was also evident in Somerset, a city in Pulaski County west of London, where emergency officials advised residents to remain indoors. The Somerset Fire Department alerted the public via social media around 11 p.m. on Friday, stating, 'The southern side of the city has been hit by a possible tornado! Please avoid the area, poles and power lines are down!'
The St. Louis area has suffered extensive damage due to a storm that produced a catastrophic tornado on Friday afternoon, resulting in five fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by local authorities. The EF3 tornado traveled a distance of at least 8 miles, according to an initial assessment by the National Weather Service. Mayor Cara Spencer expressed the city's profound grief during a press conference on Saturday, stating that approximately 5,000 buildings have been affected by the severe weather. However, she emphasized the remarkable solidarity within the community. Spencer characterized the incident as one of the most severe storms in the city's history, with a curfew imposed overnight and thousands of homes and businesses still without power. The mayor reported nearly 40 injuries and announced a state of emergency, with officials pursuing a federal major disaster declaration. In Scott County, located over 130 miles south of St. Louis, Sheriff Derick Wheetley confirmed two additional fatalities from the storms, with several individuals requiring medical attention for injuries ranging from minor to severe. The sheriff described the tornado's path through the eastern part of the county, which resulted in significant destruction, including the complete loss of multiple homes and areas rendered unrecognizable.
The devastation followed a tornado warning issued at 2:34 p.m. on Friday, with a
According to Spellman, when the sirens began to wail, she proceeded to the basement of her building. Upon her niece's return to the apartment, she found it necessary to force the door open as the tornado had displaced all her furniture against the walls. After the storm had subsided, they assisted in the cleanup, having to park over a mile away due to road closures. The interior of the apartment and building was covered in dirt, glass, and debris from trees and nearby residences. It required more than four hours to secure her niece's apartment, clean it, and retrieve her essential belongings before nightfall.
Another resident, Joan Miller Hitt, was at home on Friday when her house was devastated as if it were a dollhouse. When a large tree outside began to sway violently and all the doors slammed shut reminiscent of a scene from the movie 'Carrie,' Miller Hitt and her husband sought refuge in a bathroom. Moments later, 'the entire back of the house was gone.' Miller Hitt expressed that she never anticipated such an event. 'I never feared for the safety of that house during a storm due to its location and solid construction,' she stated in an interview with CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield on Saturday afternoon.
'I oscillate between feeling overwhelmed, shocked, and tearful.' Governor Mike Kehoe mentioned that he has already reached out to federal officials regarding disaster relief efforts. The American Red Cross announced the opening of three shelters in St. Louis for those affected by the storm and tornado on Saturday. First responders conducted searches for victims or individuals in distress across approximately 4,000 homes, with more advanced searches utilizing boom microphones and cameras taking place on Saturday. One identified victim was Patricia Pendleton, who had been serving lunches prior to the storm that led to a roof collapse at Centennial Christian Church, as reported by her family to CNN affiliate KMOV.
Sarah Russell, the commissioner of the City Emergency Management Agency in St. Louis, reported that several tornado sirens failed to activate on Friday, prompting an investigation into the matter. "We are currently examining this issue," she informed reporters on Saturday. She emphasized that the primary focus is now on implementing life-saving measures within the community. The citywide tornado siren system is in the process of being replaced and had been tested the previous Thursday. Residents were advised to utilize various warning systems, such as mobile applications and weather radios, she noted. The National Weather Service is assessing the damage and has not yet determined the storm's intensity, although it is estimated that wind speeds reached 100 mph. Herzog advised residents, stating, "The most important thing is to avoid the area unless absolutely necessary."
The risks of damaging storms continue to persist. As the system that impacted Missouri and Kentucky diminishes and moves across the Southeast, another wave of severe storms poses a threat to the Great Plains and Texas. A level 3 out of 5 threat for severe storms is expected to impact the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on Saturday evening, bringing large hail, destructive winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. The potential for additional severe weather extends through Tuesday in the Great Plains and the lower Mississippi River Valley. The Plains will remain the primary area of concern for severe weather on Sunday and Monday, with damaging storms anticipated across much of Oklahoma and Kansas. The threat of severe thunderstorms will then shift back into certain regions of the Mississippi Valley on Tuesday.
