(WE) — At least 27 people have died across multiple states as powerful storm systems tore through the U.S. Midwest and South, leaving a trail of destruction. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Saturday that 18 of the deaths occurred in his state, while 10 others remained hospitalized in critical condition. The hardest-hit area was Laurel County, located in southeastern Kentucky, where officials confirmed that 17 people died, including Fire Department Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman. A 39-year veteran of the force, Leatherman died while responding to the storm’s aftermath.
The other Kentucky fatality occurred in Pulaski County. Governor Beshear revealed that two dozen state roads had been blocked or damaged, and some routes may remain closed for days. While touring the storm-damaged areas, the governor expressed deep sorrow, describing homes reduced to rubble and entire families displaced. “It’s hard to see,” he said, adding, “Homes where not a single wall stands. Others still upright but empty inside. You can see the destruction—and you can feel it too.”
According to Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson, hundreds of homes sustained damage during the storm. In the city of London, Kayla Patterson and her husband took cover with their five children in a basement tub as the tornado passed. She recalled the terrifying experience: “You could literally hear things ripping apart in the distance. Glass shattered. The roar was like a freight train,” she said.
Once the storm passed, the Patterson family emerged to chaos—sirens blaring, neighbors in shock, and scattered debris. While their home survived, those behind them did not. Piles of wood, insulation, twisted metal, and even suitcases littered the area. Volunteers used power tools to begin clean-up, and emergency responders worked through the night and into the morning to search for survivors. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they had dispatched all available personnel.
An emergency shelter was quickly established at a local high school. Donations of food, water, clothing, and hygiene products started pouring in. Chris Cromer, another London resident, described receiving a tornado alert around 11:30 p.m. on Friday—just 30 minutes before the storm hit. Cromer and his wife grabbed their dog and rushed to a relative’s home with a larger crawlspace. “We could hear and feel the vibration of the tornado coming through,” said Cromer, 46. Their house lost part of its roof and several windows, but others nearby were flattened. “It’s one of those things you see on the news,” he said. “Now it’s us. It’s surreal. We’re just thankful to be alive.”
Kentucky has suffered devastating weather events in recent years. Just two months ago, storms killed 24 people and caused rivers to overflow. In late 2021, a historic tornado outbreak killed 81 people and destroyed towns in western Kentucky. A year later, eastern Kentucky faced catastrophic flooding that claimed dozens of lives. Governor Beshear, who took office in 2019, said this tornado marks the 14th federally declared disaster during his administration—and 13 of them were weather-related. He called the recent tornado “one of the worst.”
“This seems to be the new normal that Kentucky is facing,” he said, urging residents to remain vigilant.
Severe storms also struck Missouri, where seven people died, including five in St. Louis, according to Mayor Cara Spencer. The storm injured 38 others and damaged more than 5,000 homes in the city. Spencer described the situation as “truly heartbreaking” and imposed an overnight curfew in heavily damaged neighborhoods to ensure safety and prevent looting.
The National Weather Service reported that a likely tornado touched down between 2:30 and 2:50 p.m. in the Clayton area of St. Louis. The region, known for landmarks like Forest Park, the St. Louis Zoo, and the St. Louis Art Museum, experienced widespread damage. Inside Forest Park, the zoo reported that falling trees severely damaged the butterfly building. Staff quickly corralled the insects and transferred them to a conservatory in Chesterfield.
St. Louis Fire Battalion Chief William Pollihan said part of the Centennial Christian Church collapsed during the storm. Three people needed assistance, and one fatality was confirmed. Stacy Clark shared that his mother-in-law, Patricia Penelton, died when the building fell. He described her as a dedicated church volunteer who sang in the choir and served in many capacities.
John Randle, 19, was at the St. Louis Art Museum with his girlfriend when staff moved about 150 people into the basement. “Doors were flying open. Tree branches zoomed past. People were running,” he said. Outside, debris littered the roads. Emergency teams quickly arrived to rescue those trapped in damaged structures.
Farther south, in Scott County, about 130 miles from St. Louis, a tornado killed two people and injured several others. Sheriff Derick Wheetley confirmed the destruction of multiple homes in the area.
The same storm system pushed eastward and impacted northern Virginia, where two people died. It also generated tornadoes in Wisconsin, unleashed extreme heat in Texas, and filled skies in Chicago, Illinois with dust. On social media, the National Weather Service’s Chicago office wrote, “Well that was… something,” after issuing the city’s first-ever dust storm warning.
Forecasters said thunderstorms in central Illinois triggered powerful winds that swept through dry farmland and moved north into the Chicago area, reducing visibility and alarming residents. Drivers pulled off highways, and transit delays followed.
Looking ahead, forecasters warned of more severe weather across parts of the Plains. The National Weather Service predicted that supercell thunderstorms would likely form over Texas and Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. These storms could evolve into a line stretching into Arkansas, Louisiana, and east Texas overnight. Weather models showed a high potential for hail as large as 3.5 inches in diameter, along with dangerous wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.
On Sunday, these dangerous conditions were expected to persist over the Plains region. Officials urged residents to stay alert. “Be prepared to take action if watches and warnings are issued for your area,” the weather service emphasized.
Tornadoes remain among the most destructive weather events in the United States. Each year, roughly 1,200 tornadoes occur across the country. Historically, the central plains—especially Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas—formed the region known as “Tornado Alley.” However, a 2018 research study found that deadly tornadoes are becoming less frequent in those traditional areas and more common in the South and Midwest, particularly in more densely populated zones filled with trees and hills.
These regions, unlike the flat and open plains, often provide fewer escape routes and limited visibility during storms. As a result, the impact of tornadoes can be more lethal. Emergency officials in several states have called for increased investments in storm shelters and early warning systems. Additionally, infrastructure resilience and public education remain top priorities as climate trends evolve.
In response to the latest storms, President Joe Biden has been briefed by FEMA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The White House said it stands ready to provide federal disaster aid. Coordination efforts between state and federal emergency teams are underway to support Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, and other affected states.
The ongoing disaster prompted aid organizations such as the American Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse to deploy emergency response teams. Volunteers helped distribute food, water, and hygiene supplies while assessing damage. Mental health counselors also offered support to traumatized residents who had lost family members or seen their homes destroyed.
Insurance companies have begun processing claims. State Farm, Allstate, and Farm Bureau Insurance reported higher-than-average call volumes across Kentucky and Missouri. Representatives advised policyholders to photograph all damage and file claims promptly.
As cleanup begins, residents in towns like London, Clayton, and Forest Park face a long road to recovery. Federal aid will help, but many families are relying on neighbors, churches, and local charities to get through the crisis. For Kayla Patterson, who took shelter with her family in a basement tub, survival was everything. “We’re alive,” she said, wiping away tears. “That’s what matters. We’ll rebuild from here.”
The deadly weather has reignited national conversations about climate change, infrastructure resilience, and regional preparedness. As storms become more frequent and intense, officials across the U.S. must reconsider how best to protect lives and property.
For Kentucky, Missouri, and the rest of the Midwest and South, the scars left by this weekend’s storms will linger for years. But so will the stories of survival, solidarity, and hope in the face of devastating loss.
