US storms leave 25 dead, major devastation in Kentucky, Missouri
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Powerful US storms and tornadoes hit Kentucky and Missouri, causing mass casualties, widespread damage, and overwhelming emergency services.
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A destroyed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP)
At least 25 people have died due to a series of destructive US storms and tornadoes that tore through the Midwest on Friday, leaving widespread devastation across Kentucky, Missouri, and neighboring states.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 18 people lost their lives in his state, including nine killed by a powerful tornado that struck southeastern Kentucky’s Laurel County late Friday night. Authorities have declared the incident a mass casualty event, as emergency crews continue search-and-rescue operations.
“This is a tragic event,” Beshear stated during a press briefing. “Lives have been changed forever.”
Officials in Laurel County reported severe destruction, with London Mayor Randall Weddle noting, “I’ve never personally witnessed what I’ve witnessed here tonight.”
Missouri storm damage, fatalities
In Missouri, seven people were reported dead amid significant storm damage, including five fatalities in St. Louis. Mayor Cara Spencer stated that more than 5,000 homes were affected. The city has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in the most impacted neighborhoods.
One of the fatalities occurred when part of the Centennial Christian Church collapsed.
A separate tornado struck Scott County, approximately 130 miles south of St. Louis, resulting in two deaths and extensive property destruction.
Hospitals across the region responded to a surge of storm-related injuries following this tornado outbreak in 2025:
Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis admitted between 20 and 30 patients, some in serious condition. St. Louis Children’s Hospital treated 15 injured children, two of whom are expected to remain hospitalized through the weekend.
Emergency response, power outages
The National Weather Service confirmed over two dozen tornadoes across Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. A tornado was detected by radar in Clayton, Missouri, between 2:30 and 2:50 pm, near Forest Park.
The storms triggered widespread power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity across the Great Lakes region. These outages coincided with an intense heatwave in Texas, adding further strain to affected communities.
In St. Louis, scenes of panic unfolded at locations like the art museum and zoo, where staff quickly evacuated visitors. All animals at the St. Louis Zoo were reported safe, though the facility remains closed due to structural damage.
As rescue teams work tirelessly, communities are beginning to confront the magnitude of the storm fatalities in the US. State and local leaders have called for unity and support.
“This is a time we come together and pray for this community,” said Mayor Weddle.
Wider context
US President Donald Trump's decision to cut off federal funding to key climate and disaster preparedness programs has significantly weakened the country’s ability to respond effectively to environmental catastrophes like the recent tornado outbreak.
By slashing budgets for agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and rolling back environmental protections, the administration has undermined early warning systems, scientific research, and local emergency planning efforts.
This shortfall in resources hampers coordination and slows down the deployment of life-saving aid during mass casualty events, leaving vulnerable communities, particularly in disaster-prone regions like Kentucky and Missouri, less equipped to cope with the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events fueled by climate change.
