North America
Tornadoes have swept through Kentucky and Missouri, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least 27 lives. The storms, which began on Friday afternoon, spawned multiple tornadoes that touched down in various parts of the two states.
## Death Toll and Injuries
– At least 20 people have died in Kentucky, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
– Seven fatalities have been reported in Missouri, including five in the St. Louis area.
– Dozens of people have been injured, with many more still trapped under debris.
## Destruction and Damage
– The towns of Somerset and London in Kentucky were among the hardest hit, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
– In London, Kentucky, a tornado touched down just before midnight, tearing through two neighborhoods and the London Corbin Airport area, causing mass casualties.
– The Somerset Fire Department reported widespread devastation, downed power lines, and collapsed structures in Pulaski County.
– In St. Louis, Missouri, the storms caused catastrophic structural damage, with several buildings collapsing and roofs torn off.
## Rescue Efforts
– Rescue crews are working tirelessly to search through debris and locate survivors.
– Over 500 first responders are combing through affected areas in St. Louis.
– A curfew has been imposed in two police districts in St. Louis to prevent injuries from debris and reduce the potential for looting.
## Power Outages and Further Threats
– More than 800,000 customers were reported without power across at least a dozen states, with outages likely to last days in hard-hit communities.
– The severe weather threat is far from over, with another round of dangerous storms expected near the US-Mexico border, placing over 20 million people in the Southwest at risk.
## Response from Authorities
– Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the state’s death toll is expected to grow as more information becomes available.
– St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer described the loss of life and destruction as “truly, truly horrendous”.
