Deadly Storms Slam Central States, More Expected/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New tornadoes struck the central U.S. on Monday, adding to the devastation from days of deadly storms. Communities across Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas face massive cleanup efforts. Power outages and infrastructure damage continue to affect thousands.
Tornado Recovery and New Storms Quick Looks
- At least four tornadoes hit Oklahoma and Nebraska Monday evening.
- Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas continue cleaning up from deadly weekend storms.
- Laurel County, KY, was worst hit, with 19 people killed.
- St. Louis saw $1.6 billion in damage and 5,000 buildings affected.
- Over 115,000 power outages reported in three states.
- Tornado destroyed a fire station and homes in Oklahoma.
- Hail measuring over 4 inches fell in northern Texas.
- London, KY airport became a relief hub after direct tornado hit.
- Firefighter killed protecting his wife during Kentucky storm.
- FEMA response delays frustrate leaders in Missouri and beyond.
Deep Look: Tornadoes Strike Again as Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas Grapple with Widespread Storm Damage
LONDON, Ky., May 20, 2025 — A fresh wave of tornadoes tore across the central United States on Monday, destroying homes and disrupting power across several states. The severe weather added to the devastation from earlier storms that have killed more than two dozen people and left communities in chaos from Texas to Kentucky.
The National Weather Service confirmed at least four new tornadoes Monday evening in Oklahoma and Nebraska. Oklahoma officials reported that 10 homes were destroyed and a fire station was completely wiped out. Fortunately, no new fatalities were reported, but 115,000 customers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri were left without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Flooding and downed infrastructure forced road closures, and in northwest Arkansas, severe weather shut down a municipal airport and canceled a Halsey concert. Tulsa Public Schools called off all after-school programs due to the risk.
Kentucky: Ground Zero for Tornado Destruction
Kentucky, especially Laurel County, remains the hardest-hit region. Nineteen people died when tornadoes tore through the area late Friday into early Saturday, destroying homes and tossing vehicles like toys.
In London, Kentucky, a small municipal airport struck directly by a tornado has become a central hub for recovery, serving as a launch point for distributing water, food, diapers, and supplies. Planes were dented, and wings were torn apart as the airport became a scene of both devastation and determination.
“We’ve got 1,001 things going on. But we’re managing it,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle. “And we’re going to get it all cleaned up.”
Survivors Tell Harrowing Stories
77-year-old Lonnie Nantz and his family were trapped under debris for 20 minutes after their home collapsed around them. “I don’t know why this happened,” Nantz said. “But I’ve still got faith.”
Ashley Taylor, a city worker, returned to her job Monday despite having a tarp over her roof. She and nine others survived the storm by sheltering in a crawl space with three dogs. “We prayed like never before,” she recalled.
One of the most tragic stories came from Laurel County, where Fire Major Leslie Leatherman was found shielding his wife from the storm. He died protecting her, though it’s unclear whether he knew it was her in the chaos.
Missouri: St. Louis Faces $1.6 Billion in Tornado Damage
In St. Louis, Missouri, cleanup is underway after a powerful EF3 tornado with winds up to 150 mph struck north and west of downtown Friday. Mayor Cara Spencer said five people were killed and 38 injured, with more than 5,000 structures damaged. The city is bracing for damages expected to exceed $1.6 billion.
“Eight miles of pure destruction, at times a mile wide,” Spencer said. Officials are waiting for a disaster declaration to unlock federal aid, but frustrations are growing.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed anger over delays in FEMA’s response, citing unresolved damage from storms two months ago. Acting FEMA Director David Richardson has announced a shift to more state-driven recovery, adding to the uncertainty.
To make matters worse, Spencer said emergency warning sirens were not activated during the tornado, and it’s unclear who was responsible for issuing the alerts.
Texas and Oklahoma: More Tornadoes and Giant Hail
In Texas, several tornadoes were confirmed west of Fort Worth on Sunday. One EF1 tornado near Gordon produced winds of 105 mph and caused property damage. Northern parts of the state were pelted with 4.5-inch-wide hail—the size of softballs—according to meteorologist Scott Kleebauer.
What’s Next: More Storms in the Forecast
The severe weather is far from over. The National Weather Service warned that storms would shift southeastward on Tuesday, bringing high risks of tornadoes, damaging winds, and flooding to Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Residents across the Midwest and South are being urged to remain alert and follow weather updates, especially as infrastructure and power systems remain fragile from previous storms.
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