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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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At least 27 people have been killed after a series of powerful tornadoes tore through multiple states on Friday, according to the Associated Press.
In Kentucky, at least 18 people were killed by severe weather. Seven people were also killed in Missouri, and two people were killed in northern Virginia as well, the AP reported—while thousands of customers were left without power in Wisconsin.
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What To Know
In Laurel County, Kentucky, officials said nine people were killed after a tornado touched down in southeastern Kentucky, causing structures to crumble and even flipping a car on I-75.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, said rescuers were "on the ground all night looking for possible survivors."
An emergency shelter was set up at a local high school and donations of food and other necessities were arriving.
The extreme weather ripped across a largely rural area and extended to the London-Corbin Airport shortly before midnight.
"Lives have been changed forever here tonight. This is a time we come together, and we pray for this community," London Mayor Randall Weddle told WKYT-TV. "I have never personally witnessed what I've witnessed here tonight. There's a lot of devastation."
In Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes had been affected. "This is truly, truly devastating," Spencer said.
One person was killed when part of a church in the city was destroyed, while another two people were rescued from the building.
The St. Louis Children's Hospital received 15 patients with storm-related injuries, according to the Deccan Herald. The Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Missouri's largest hospital, received about 20 to 30 injured patients.
A tornado also struck in Scott County, about 130 miles south of St. Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media.
What People Are Saying
Cara Spencer, the mayor of St. Louis, said on Friday: "This is a hard night for many, many families. Our city is grieving tonight. The loss of life and the destruction is truly, truly horrendous. Our priority tonight and for the next 24 hours is life — protecting it, finding those who may be trapped, and getting them to safety."
Governor Beshear wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: "I'm sad to report the death toll from last night's severe weather has grown to 18; 17 from Laurel County and one from Pulaski County. Please join Britainy and me as we pray for these families during this difficult time."
In a previous X post, Beshear wrote: "Teams are working hard to restore power, with outages down to 83,338 from 100,476 this morning. Please check in on your neighbors. Let's open our hearts and our doors to those in need during this time. We will get through this together, Kentucky."
What Happens Next
While the worst of Friday's storms has passed for some areas, the threat is not over. The storm system is forecast to shift southward on Saturday, putting parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas at risk for damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes.
Update, 5/17/25 at 7:44 p.m. ET: The death toll was updated and additional information was added.
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