Severe Storms and Tornadoes Kill Over 20 Across U.S., Leave Hundreds of Thousands Without Power
Powerful storms and tornadoes ripped through parts of Missouri and Kentucky, killing at least 23 people, devastating neighborhoods, and knocking out power for hundreds of thousands across the Midwest and South.
In Kentucky, 14 fatalities were reported as of May 17, including nine deaths in Laurel County in the southeastern part of the state. Governor Andy Beshear warned the toll could rise as search efforts continue.
Chris Cromer, 46, a Laurel County resident, said he received two tornado alerts on his phone around 11:30 p.m., just 30 minutes before the storm struck. He and his wife grabbed their dog, jumped in the car, and took shelter at a relative’s home in a basement.
“We heard the wind howling, and we could feel the tornado roaring toward us,” Cromer told reporters. His home sustained roof damage and shattered windows, but nearby houses were completely leveled, including several in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood.
“I’ve only ever seen tornadoes on the news. Seeing it up close—it’s terrifying,” he said. “We’re just lucky to be alive.”
Rescue crews worked through the night to search for survivors, according to Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency shelters were set up at a local high school, and relief supplies were being delivered to displaced residents.
The deadly storms in Kentucky were part of a larger system that swept through the central U.S. on May 16, killing at least seven people in Missouri, spawning tornadoes in Wisconsin, and cutting power to hundreds of thousands in the Great Lakes region, while triggering an early heatwave in Texas.
In St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths and widespread destruction, with more than 5,000 homes damaged. “This storm was absolutely brutal,” she said, adding that overnight curfews had been imposed in the hardest-hit areas.
John Randle, a 19-year-old student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said he and his girlfriend were inside the city’s art museum when the storm hit. They were rushed into the basement along with about 150 others.
“Doors were flying off, branches were crashing into windows—people were screaming and running. Some got stuck outside,” Randle said.
Another tornado struck Scott County, about 130 miles south of St. Louis, killing two people, injuring several others, and leveling homes, according to Sheriff Derick Wheetley.
On May 17, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center warned of continued severe weather, including large hail and tornado threats across northwest Texas.
(Sources: AP)
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