A severe storm system impacted the central United States this weekend, resulting in significant destruction across multiple communities still recovering from previous severe weather incidents.
On Friday night, multiple tornadoes traversed the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, claiming at least 27 lives and injuring dozens. Kentucky and Missouri faced the brunt of the devastation, with 25 fatalities reported in these states.
This latest series of storms contributes to a particularly harsh spring season marked by deadly weather. In April, similar storms caused extensive flooding and damage, similarly affecting Kentucky and Missouri. Federal weather and emergency management personnel are reportedly struggling to manage the ongoing crises due to recent workforce reductions.
The storm system was characterized by supercells—powerful, organized storms capable of producing strong winds and large hail. Tornadoes began to develop Friday afternoon, primarily affecting areas in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Preliminary estimates indicated that 26 tornadoes touched down, predominantly in Indiana and Kentucky, which is notably lower than the 107 tornadoes recorded during the April outbreak. Nonetheless, local officials emphasized that communities are still managing damage from earlier storms.
Most fatalities occurred in Kentucky, with at least 18 deaths reported since Friday. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 17 fatalities were recorded in Laurel County and one in Pulaski County, with ten individuals in critical condition as of Saturday evening. Major Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year-old firefighter from Laurel County, was among the deceased after suffering injuries during tornado response efforts.
The town of London, Kentucky, experienced severe damage, with neighborhoods strewn with debris and downed trees. Residents spent the weekend assessing the destruction and aiding one another in rescue efforts.
Kentucky has faced numerous extreme weather events in recent years, including significant flooding earlier this year, which had already overwhelmed many communities still recovering from catastrophic floods in 2022 that resulted in at least 45 deaths. Roughly two dozen counties had recently been approved for federal aid, complicating ongoing disaster relief efforts due to staffing and funding cuts impacting the usual assistance processes.
Governor Beshear praised the response from the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, noting their effectiveness amid crises. He emphasized that politics should not interfere with disaster response efforts.
In Missouri, at least seven fatalities were reported, with five occurring in St. Louis. Mayor Cara Spencer described the storm as one of the worst in the city’s history, estimating that around 5,000 buildings suffered damage. The storm struck St. Louis around 3 p.m. local time on Friday, affecting an area of approximately 20 square blocks.
Vivian Reed, a caretaker, shared her experience as she returned home to find her property damaged by fallen trees and debris after the storm. In addition to widespread destruction, the Centennial Christian Church was also affected, where three church members were trapped when part of the building’s steeple collapsed. Tragically, one church member was confirmed dead.
Outside the primary affected states, at least two individuals in Virginia died when trees fell onto their vehicles, and more than a dozen were injured in Indiana due to the tornadoes.
Forecasters predict a brief respite from severe weather for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions over the next day. The storm system has now moved east, bringing lighter thunderstorms to New England. However, another storm system is anticipated to generate additional rain and thunderstorms in several of the same states, including Missouri and Kentucky, in the coming days, although with potentially less severity.
Meanwhile, golf-ball-sized hail and strong winds may affect parts of the southern Great Plains and areas in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth.