Severe Tornadoes Kill 21 in Kentucky and Missouri/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Severe weather ripped through the Midwest Friday, leaving 23 dead—including nine in Kentucky—after powerful tornadoes hit multiple states. Authorities describe widespread destruction, especially in Laurel County and the St. Louis area.
Midwest Tornado Tragedy: Quick Looks
- 14 killed in Laurel County, Kentucky, mass casualty event
- 9 confirmed dead in Missouri, including 5 in St. Louis
- Dozens injured across multiple states, including children
- Thousands without power amid storm, heatwave, and chaos
- National Weather Service confirms multiple tornado touchdowns
- Zoo, hospitals, and churches damaged in St. Louis
- Kentucky and Missouri officials declare emergencies
Deep Look: Tornadoes Tear Through Midwest, Claiming 23 Lives in Kentucky and Missouri
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A wave of violent storms swept through the Midwest on Friday, killing at least 23 people across Kentucky and Missouri, uprooting lives, and leaving cities and rural areas reeling. Among the dead were 14 Kentuckians caught in a devastating tornado that tore through Laurel County just before midnight.
Officials described the scene in southeastern Kentucky as a “mass casualty event,” with search and rescue operations continuing Saturday morning.
“We’ve been on the ground all night looking for survivors,” said Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesman for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. “That’s what we’re continuing to do.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state would release more details soon, confirming that “multiple fatalities” occurred in a major storm that struck south-central Kentucky late Friday.
London Mayor Randall Weddle told WKYT-TV the tornado had left heartbreaking destruction:
“Lives have been changed forever here tonight. I’ve never personally witnessed this level of devastation. We pray for this community.”
St. Louis Slammed: Five Dead, Dozens Injured
The same massive weather system also lashed Missouri, leaving seven people dead, including five in St. Louis. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said the city was reeling and confirmed over 5,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed.
“This is truly, truly devastating,” she said. An emergency declaration and curfew were quickly enacted in the worst-hit neighborhoods.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital treated 20–30 patients from the storm, with several in serious condition, while St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted 15 children, two of whom remained hospitalized Saturday morning.
A tornado was confirmed to have touched down in Clayton, Missouri, between 2:30 and 2:50 p.m., affecting Forest Park, home of the St. Louis Zoo, the Art Museum, and other major city landmarks.
At Centennial Christian Church, a roof collapse led to the death of 64-year-old Patricia Penelton, a beloved volunteer and choir member. “She was the light of this church,” said her son-in-law, Stacy Clark.
“Everything Was Tore Up”
Residents across Missouri reported intense winds, downed trees, and flying debris. Jeffrey Simmons Sr., who lives across from the church, described chaos as the storm hit:
“And next thing you know, a lot of noise, heavy wind … everything was tore up.”
Traffic gridlock followed, and officials urged residents to stay home through the weekend.
“People Were Caught Outside”
“You could see the doors flying open, tree branches flying by and people running … A lot of people were caught outside.”
The Saint Louis Zoo remains closed Saturday due to significant storm damage, but all animals and staff are safe, according to spokesperson Christy Childs.
Additional Fatalities in Southern Missouri
In Scott County, about 130 miles south of St. Louis, a separate tornado claimed two lives and injured several others. “Multiple homes were destroyed,” Sheriff Derick Wheetley confirmed.
Weather Chaos Beyond the Tornadoes
Beyond tornadoes, the storm system knocked out power to hundreds of thousands across the Great Lakes region, while a heat wave pushed temperatures above 100°F in Texas, adding to the widespread crisis.
National Weather Service meteorologist Marshall Pfahler noted that the data strongly supports multiple tornado touchdowns, though some are still under investigation. “We can’t definitively say whether or not each event was a tornado, but the signs are there,” he said.
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