Devastating Tornadoes Hit Kentucky and Missouri

Residents in Kentucky and Missouri sifted through damage in tornado-stricken neighborhoods and remained on edge Sunday for more severe weather ahead after storms swept through parts of the Midwest and South and killed more than two dozen people.

Kentucky Bears the Brunt of the Storm

Kentucky was hardest hit as a devastating tornado damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles and left many homeless. At least 19 people were killed, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. Meteorologists predicted a fresh “multi-day” mix of dangerous weather conditions across the nation’s midsection starting Sunday with heavy rains, thunderstorms and the possibility of more tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Severe Weather Forecast

Severe storms were possible for Kentucky on Monday and even more so on Tuesday, the weather service said. The latest Kentucky storms were part of a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. The system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, brought punishing heat to Texas and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day.

Personal Stories of Survival

Jeff Wyatt’s home of 17 years was destroyed along with much of his neighborhood in London, Kentucky. Wyatt, his wife and two of their children scarcely made it to safety in a hallway while the roof and family room were ripped away. On Sunday, the family returned to the wreckage to collect photos, baby blankets and other keepsakes.

“It happened so fast,” said Wyatt, 54. “If we would have been there 10 seconds longer, we would have been gone with the family room.”

Other Areas Affected

In London, Kentucky, Ryan VanNorstran huddled with his brother’s large dogs in a first-floor closet as the storm hit his brother’s home Friday in a neighborhood along Keavy Road where much of the destruction in the community of nearly 8,000 people was centered. VanNorstran was house-sitting.

He said he felt the house shake as he got in the closet. Then a door from another house crashed through a window. All the windows blew out of the house and his car was destroyed. Chunks of wood had punched through several parts of the roof but the house avoided catastrophic damage. When he stepped outside he heard “a lot of screaming.”

“I guess in the moment, I kind of realized there was nothing I could do. I’d never really felt that kind of power from just nature,” he said. “And so I was in there and I was just kind of thinking, it’s either gonna take me or it’s all gonna be all right.”

Response and Relief Efforts

Survey teams were expected on the ground in Kentucky on Monday so the state can apply for federal disaster assistance, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

He announced the 19th storm victim on Sunday, identifying her as an adult woman from Russell County. Beshear said of the 10 people hospitalized for injuries related to the severe weather, three remained in critical condition.

“I want tornado survivors to know we’re thankful they’re here — and we will help them with everything else,” he said on X, touting fundraising efforts to help with funeral expenses and rebuilding.

Parts of two dozen state roads were closed, and some could take days to reopen, he said.

Tornado Facts and Statistics

About 1,200 tornadoes strike the U.S. annually, and they have been reported in all 50 states over the years. Researchers found in 2018 that deadly tornadoes were happening less frequently in the traditional “Tornado Alley” of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas and more frequently in parts of the more densely populated and tree-filled mid-South.

Other Areas Affected by the Storms

In St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected.

“The devastation is truly heartbreaking,” she said at a news conference Saturday.

A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) south of St. Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media.

National Weather Service Staffing Concerns

The storms hit after the Trump administration massively cut staffing of National Weather Service offices, with outside experts worrying about how it would affect warnings in disasters such as tornadoes.

The office in Jackson, Kentucky, which was responsible for the area around London, Kentucky, had a March 2025 vacancy rate of 25%; the Louisville, Kentucky, weather service staff was down 29%; and the St. Louis office was down 16%, according to calculations by weather service employees obtained by The Associated Press. The Louisville office was also without a permanent boss, the meteorologist in charge, as of March, according to the staffing data.

Experts said any vacancy rate above 20% is a critical problem.

Conclusion

The devastating tornadoes that hit Kentucky and Missouri have left a trail of destruction and loss of life. As the affected areas begin to recover and rebuild, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of adequate weather forecasting and warning systems. The National Weather Service plays a critical role in predicting and warning about severe weather events, and it is crucial that the agency is sufficiently staffed and funded to perform its duties effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many people were killed in the tornadoes?

A: At least 19 people were killed in Kentucky, and seven in Missouri, with two more deaths reported in northern Virginia.

Q: What areas were most affected by the storms?

A: Kentucky, particularly southeastern Laurel County, and Missouri, including the St. Louis area, were the most affected by the storms.

Q: What is the National Weather Service’s role in predicting and warning about severe weather events?

A: The National Weather Service is responsible for predicting and warning about severe weather events, including tornadoes, to help protect life and property.

Q: Why is it essential to have adequate staffing and funding for the National Weather Service?

A: Adequate staffing and funding are crucial for the National Weather Service to perform its duties effectively, including predicting and warning about severe weather events, to help save lives and reduce damage to property.