Severe Storms Leave 27 Dead Across Multiple States as Tornadoes Continue to Threaten

An expansive outbreak of severe weather has tragically claimed at least 27 lives across several states, stretching from the Heartland to the East Coast. Meteorologists warn that more powerful storms may arrive Saturday.

Kentucky suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 18 deaths reported by state officials. Missouri experienced seven fatalities, while Virginia confirmed two deaths caused by falling trees amid the storm.

The hardest-hit area in Kentucky was Laurel County in the southeast, located approximately 130 miles southeast of Louisville. Many neighborhoods saw complete destruction, with homes obliterated during the nighttime tornadoes.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear toured the devastation and expressed heartfelt sympathy. “You can not only see the destruction, you can feel it,” he said during a news briefing on Saturday.

Beshear had previously declared a state of emergency, preparing for the oncoming storms. He noted that in his time as governor, he has faced 13 federally declared weather disasters, describing this storm as among the most deadly.

The victims’ ages ranged from 25 to 76 years old, with at least 12 being seniors in their 60s and 70s. This highlights how the storms especially endangered older adults in the affected communities.

Among those who lost their lives was Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a Laurel County firefighter with 39 years of service. Beshear praised his sacrifice, saying he “died doing what first responders do every day.”

In London, the county seat of Laurel County, total devastation was evident. Residents were forced to search through wreckage, with entire blocks of homes wiped out during the overnight storm.

Lonnie Nantz, 78, described how he and his wife held on in their hallway while their house collapsed. His property was scattered, and vehicles were crushed by debris left in the storm’s wake.

Missouri’s St. Louis was also hit hard. An EF-3 tornado tore through neighborhoods, causing roofs to be ripped off and buildings to be leveled. Five people died, and dozens more were injured.

Mayor Cara Spencer called it “one of the worst storms” the city has ever faced, emphasizing the heartbreaking loss of life and the ongoing effort to account for all victims and the damage.

Power outages affected over 462,000 customers from Michigan to Tennessee. In total, at least 26 tornadoes touched down across multiple states on Friday, including Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and New Jersey.