At least 21 people have died after a series of powerful tornadoes tore through Missouri and Kentucky late Friday, leaving a trail of destruction across the Midwest and South. The storms, which also brought extreme weather to Wisconsin, Illinois, and Texas, left thousands without power and prompted emergency declarations in multiple areas.
The devastation in St. Louis [Jeff Roberson/AP Photo]
Kentucky: “Mass Casualty Event” in Laurel County
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed Saturday that 14 people have died in Kentucky, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams continue operations in heavily damaged areas. Among the hardest-hit was Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky, where nine deaths were reported after a tornado touched down just before midnight.
“We lost at least 14 of our people to last night’s storms,” Governor Beshear posted on X. “Sadly, this number is expected to grow.”
Homes were leveled, cars overturned on Interstate 75, and entire neighborhoods, including Sunshine Hills, were severely impacted. Resident Chris Cromer said he and his wife sought shelter in a crawlspace after receiving a tornado alert around 11:30 p.m.
“You could hear and feel the vibration of the tornado coming through,” said Cromer. “It’s surreal. You never think it’ll happen to you.”
Emergency shelters were set up at local high schools, and the sheriff’s office confirmed ongoing search and rescue efforts well into Saturday. Donations of food and supplies have been pouring in.
“The outpouring from our community has been heartwarming,” said Laurel County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Gilbert Acciardo. “We’ve been on the ground all night looking for survivors.”
London Mayor Randall Weddle described the devastation as something he’s “never personally witnessed,” urging residents to pray for the affected families.
Also Read: Deadly Tornadoes Devastate Kentucky: Somerset and London Among Hardest Hit (an earlier update)
Missouri: St. Louis Under Emergency Order
In Missouri, seven people have died—five of them in St. Louis—after a tornado swept through the city during the Friday afternoon commute. Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed more than 5,000 homes were damaged and described the storm’s aftermath as “truly, truly horrific.”
“Our city is in mourning tonight,” said Spencer. “The destruction is massive, and the loss of life is heartbreaking.”
National Weather Service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down in Clayton, just west of downtown St. Louis, around 2:30 p.m. It cut across Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair, before crossing the Mississippi River.
Snapshot of the devastation: a huge tree has blocked the road [Jeff Roberson/AP Photo]
In one tragic incident, part of the Centennial Christian Church collapsed, killing Patricia Penelton, a longtime choir member and volunteer.
“She was an incredible woman who gave her heart to this church,” said her son-in-law, Stacy Clark.
The city implemented an overnight curfew in the worst-hit neighborhoods, and hospitals reported dozens of injuries. Barnes-Jewish Hospital received 20 to 30 patients, some in serious condition. St. Louis Children’s Hospital treated 15 people.
Tornado Aftermath: Debris, Power Outages, and Rescues
The National Weather Service said winds from the storm may have reached up to 100 mph. A formal survey is underway to confirm tornado strength and path.
Widespread damage to cellular infrastructure disrupted communication across St. Louis. The emergency alert system did activate, issuing a warning around 2:34 p.m.—just minutes before the storm hit.
“We had only 7-8 minutes of warning,” said Kimberly Vanden Berg of St. Louis Emergency Management. “Still, our system notified more than 200,000 contacts in the city.”
Elsewhere, a tornado struck near Sloanville in Scott County, Missouri, killing two and injuring several. Sheriff Derick Wheetley praised first responders for their bravery.
“They acted swiftly, even while the tornado was active,” he said.
The alert was issued at 2:35 p.m. on Friday.
Other States Affected
The same system that devastated Missouri and Kentucky also caused tornadoes in Wisconsin and a dust storm that swept across the Chicago area, reducing visibility along a 100-mile stretch into northern Indiana.
In Texas, a punishing heatwave pushed temperatures into dangerous territory. The Storm Prediction Center warned that further severe thunderstorms, large hail, and additional tornadoes could affect North Texas through the weekend.
In Illinois, a tornado touched down near the Federal Correctional Institution in Marion. While the prison was not directly hit, staff housing sustained significant damage, prompting lockdown protocols.
Demolished part of Centennial Christian Church [AP Photo/Michael Philis]
A Year of Violent Weather
This latest tornado outbreak continues a deadly weather pattern in the region. Just two months ago, 24 people were killed in flash floods across Kentucky. In 2021, a series of tornadoes left 81 dead in the state, while the following summer brought deadly floods to eastern counties.
Ben Herzog from the National Weather Service says 2025 has already proven to be “an active weather year with stronger-than-average tornadoes.”
“Lives have been changed forever,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle. “Now is the time we come together and support each other.”
Power and Emergency Updates
- Over 300,000 people lost power across the Midwest.
- Emergency curfews remain in effect in affected areas of St. Louis.
- Shelters have been set up in Laurel County, KY; donations encouraged.
- The National Weather Service continues storm damage assessments across multiple states.