Severe storms and tornadoes tore through parts of the U.S. Midwest and South on Friday, leaving at least 26 people dead and many more injured or displaced. States including Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, and Virginia were hit hard, with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirming 18 deaths in his state alone—most in Laurel County.
Kentucky Tornado Turns Deadly
Kentucky was the hardest-hit state, where a powerful tornado swept across Laurel County, leveling homes and throwing vehicles off highways. Among the victims was Major Leslie Roger Leatherman, a firefighter fatally injured while responding to the disaster.
Governor Beshear described the storm as a “mass casualty event” and warned that the death toll could still rise. Most victims were in their 60s and 70s, and at least 10 more people remain in critical condition. Dozens of homes were destroyed, and emergency shelters were set up for survivors.
“Homes that there isn’t a single wall left standing… some homes have all four walls but lost the person inside,” Beshear said. “You can feel the devastation.”
London Mayor Randall Weddle added:
“Lives have been changed forever. I’ve never personally witnessed this level of destruction.”
Eyewitness Accounts of the Tornado’s Fury
Kayla Patterson, a London resident, said she and her family—five children and her husband—hid in a bathtub as the tornado roared past.
“You could literally hear just things ripping in the distance, glass shattering everywhere, just roaring like a freight train,” she said.
The family was spared, but many nearby homes were destroyed. Across the county, piles of debris, damaged vehicles, and shattered lives remain.
Missouri Also Suffers Heavy Loss
In Missouri, at least seven people were killed, including five in St. Louis and two in Scott County. A tornado touched down in Clayton, damaging parts of Forest Park, the St. Louis Zoo, and historic church buildings.
One of the dead was Patricia Penelton, a longtime church volunteer killed when part of the Centennial Christian Church collapsed. Over 5,000 homes were damaged, and the city declared an overnight curfew in the hardest-hit neighborhoods.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer called the destruction “truly heartbreaking.”
Illinois and Virginia Hit by Tornadoes and Falling Trees
In Illinois, a tornado touched down near the Federal Correctional Institution in Marion, damaging nearby staff housing, though the prison itself was spared.
In Virginia, one person died when a tree fell on a vehicle along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, officials confirmed.
National Response and Federal Aid
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke with governors from Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois, pledging federal support and emergency resources.
“While emergency management is best led by local authorities, DHS stands ready to take immediate action,” Noem said.
Zoo Closures, Museum Evacuations, and Community Impact
The St. Louis Zoo remained closed Saturday due to fallen trees and storm damage. All animals and staff were confirmed safe.
John Randle, a 19-year-old student, was at the St. Louis Art Museum during the storm and said around 150 people were ushered into the basement.
“You could see the doors flying open, tree branches flying by and people running,” he said.