At least 25 people have died and many more were hurt after strong tornadoes swept through parts of Kentucky and Missouri on Saturday.
These storms hit quickly and hard, leaving behind broken buildings, damaged homes, and grieving families.
The tornadoes struck in the early hours of the day, tearing through neighborhoods while many people were still sleeping. In Kentucky, Laurel County suffered the worst loss, with 18 lives taken by the storm. Missouri reported seven deaths, including five in the St. Louis area. Both states have started large search efforts to find survivors in the rubble, and officials say more deaths are likely to be confirmed as crews continue their work.
The destruction spread across towns and cities, ripping off roofs, knocking over trees, and cutting power to about 140,000 homes and businesses. In Missouri alone, roughly 5,000 buildings were reported damaged. Emergency services in St. Louis had to go door-to-door, checking homes and pulling trapped people from collapsed structures. One of the hardest-hit locations was a church in the city, where part of the building caved in, leading to a fatal rescue.
Local officials responded by placing a curfew in the most damaged areas, hoping to protect people from dangerous debris and reduce the risk of looting overnight. First responders spent the day clearing roads, helping injured residents, and beginning the long process of recovery. With the power still out in many places and emergency shelters filling up, many families are struggling to find safe places to stay.
The tornadoes were tracked by weather experts, who noticed the first one touching down near Forest Park in St. Louis. This area is well known for landmarks such as the city zoo and the site of the 1904 Olympic Games. The storms didn’t stop there—they pushed across Illinois and are expected to bring more dangerous weather to parts of Texas and beyond over the weekend. Meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the skies, as more tornadoes could form.
Tornadoes are common in this region of the United States, known as Tornado Alley. May and June are usually the busiest months for these types of storms, but they can strike at any time of year. On average, Missouri sees 16 tornadoes each May, while Kentucky experiences around five. This latest disaster shows how fast these storms can appear and how serious their effects can be.
Communities in both states are now focused on recovering, supporting those who lost loved ones, and helping families rebuild their lives. The road ahead will be long, but rescue teams, volunteers, and neighbors are already stepping in to begin the healing process.