At least 27 people have died following devastating storms that tore through Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia late Friday, toppling homes, uprooting trees, and knocking out power for nearly 200,000 residents.
Kentucky was hit hardest, with Governor Andy Beshear confirming 18 fatalities and declaring states of emergency in five counties. Over 100,000 residents in the state are without electricity, with communities like London left in ruins.
In Missouri, seven were killed—five in St. Louis alone—in what officials described as one of the worst storms in the city’s history. Mayor Cara Spencer said around 5,000 buildings were damaged and 38 people injured. Two shelters have been opened as over 80,000 residents remain without power.
Virginia also reported two deaths caused by falling trees, as violent winds swept through parts of the state.
Drone footage and eyewitness reports show widespread destruction, with entire neighborhoods flattened. “Things that have been here 30-plus years are just gone,” said Jamie Burns, a survivor from London, Kentucky.
Officials are warning of more severe weather through Monday. Questions are emerging over whether staffing cuts at the National Weather Service—reportedly 500 positions lost under the Trump administration—may have hampered forecasting and response.
The US recorded nearly 1,800 tornadoes in 2023, its second-highest total ever.
