Over 25 lives have been lost following severe storms and tornadoes impacting parts of Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia. Numerous homes were devastated, trees uprooted, and nearly 200,000 residents were left without electricity.
Locals are working to navigate the aftermath of the destruction.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on social media that at least 18 fatalities occurred during the storms on Friday night. Meanwhile, Missouri officials reported an additional seven deaths in their state.
Reports indicate that two individuals were killed by falling trees in Virginia.
In London, Kentucky, 38-year-old Jamie Burns, who lives in a trailer with her husband and son, took refuge in her sister’s basement as the storm obliterated around 100 to 200 houses in the vicinity.
“It’s unbelievable. Things that have been here for over 30 years are just gone,” Burns recounted during a phone conversation with AFP, her voice trembling.
“It’s shocking. You look at one spot, and it’s completely flattened, like it was never there.”
Drone images released by local outlets revealed shocking scenes in London, with homes turned to rubble and tree trunks standing stripped of their branches.
Governor Beshear noted that more than 100,000 people in Kentucky are without power, prompting five counties to declare states of emergency.
The eastern region of Kentucky, historically linked to coal mining, is among the nation’s most economically challenged areas.
“Many residents live in manufactured homes that are not equipped to withstand tornadoes,” Burns stated.
‘One of the most devastating storms’
In Missouri, five individuals were killed in the major city of St. Louis, with authorities labeling this as one of the most destructive storms in the city’s history, and two more deaths were reported in Scott County, according to a statement from the State Highway Patrol.
Approximately 80,000 people found themselves without power, and three emergency shelters were set up locally. Forecasts predict further severe weather on Sunday night and Monday.
When asked by a reporter if this was the most severe storm to hit St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer responded, “I would characterize this as one of the worst storms — absolutely. The destruction is incredibly heartbreaking.”
The mayor reported that 38 people were injured and about 5,000 buildings suffered damage.
In one St. Louis neighborhood, a church was significantly damaged, as seen in CBS footage, with rescue workers tending to victims in the area Saturday morning.
“It’s tragic to see such destruction inflicted on our residents and our church,” said Derrick Perkins, a pastor at Centennial Christian Church, expressing deep sorrow. “Our hearts are shattered.”
Bruce Madison, who also serves at the church, remarked on the community’s resilience amidst the tragedy. “Right now, all we can do is pray for everyone involved.”
Despite having prior warnings about the severe weather— Governor Beshear had declared a state of emergency on Friday—the rising death toll may lead to concerns regarding potential staffing shortages in the National Weather Service due to budget cuts made during the Trump administration.
It is estimated that around 500 of the 4,200 National Weather Service employees have either been laid off or opted for early retirement this year, according to The Washington Post.
Last year, the United States experienced its second-highest number of tornadoes on record, with nearly 1,800, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), second only to 2004.
