LONDON, Ky. (AP) — At least 27 people have been killed by storms systems that swept across part of the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announcing Saturday that 18 of the deaths came in his state and 10 others were hospitalized in critical condition.
A devastating tornado in Kentucky damaged homes, tossed vehicles and left many people homeless. Seventeen of the deaths were in Laurel County, located in the state's southeast, and one was in Pulaski County: Fire Department Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran who was fatally injured while responding to the deadly weather.
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Homes are destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Destroyed homes are seen after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, reaches for her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she reacts standing next to her destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Homes are destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Destroyed homes are seen after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, reaches for her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she reacts standing next to her destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Debris covers the ground and damaged vehicles after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A vehicle is covered in debris after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025,in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A person looks through the damage at a destroyed home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Hailee Allen holds a family picture saved from Lynn and Don White's home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Hailee Allen holds a family picture saved from Lynn and Don White's home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Anthony Broughton digs through the debris of his destroyed home following a severe storm in the Sunshine Hill neighborhood of London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Dennis Clark goes through the remains of his house that was destroyed by severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A destroyed home lays in a pile following severe weather in London, Kentucky, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
Houses lay destroyed following severe weather in London, Kentucky, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
Doris Hensley, center, and Don Allen look over the remains of her home following severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Don Allen, right, hands Doris Hensley medication that they are retrieving from the remains of her home following severe weather last night in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Volunteers help clear debris from a road following severe storms last night in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Houses lay destroyed following severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A dust storm that originated in central Illinois moves through downtown Chicago on the evening of Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Kathleen Foody)
A building is damaged as debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
A firefighter enters a damaged building after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground and a vehicle after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Steven Lampink sits on a downed tree after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Damaged and fallen trees are seen in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A large tree blocks a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A man sits in a chair after a severe storm moved through St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Steven Lampink sits on a downed tree after a severe storm moved through St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Debris is seen after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Drivers navigate around debris in the roadway after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person walks past a large tree blocking a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People navigate downed trees left in the wake of a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person looks at damage caused by a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Greg Simmons, 55, a St. Louis resident, surveyed damage after a storm ripped the roof off of his home on Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Cody Sparks, left, and Eric Combs with Lewis Tree Service work to clear a tree off of a power line near on 92nd Street near Caledonia, Mich. on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
Zeeland resident Maddie Pellegrini clears debris outside her family's home on 64th Avenue in Drenthe east of Zeeland, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Isaac Ritchey/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A snapped utility pole stands awkwardly off of 92nd Street near Caledonia, Mich. on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree is uprooted from Thursday night's storm in Trail Creek, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Downed trees are shown blocking Leo and Oakland Avenues in Trail Creek, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
A snapped tree is shown up against an apartment on Salem Court in Michigan City, Ind. on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Damage from Thursday's storm is shown along U.S. 20 in Michigan City, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Trees lay in a playground in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree branch covers a bus in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree lays in a parking lot in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree lays on a house in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
Parts of two dozen state roads were closed, and some could take days to reopen, Beshear said. He also said the death toll could still rise.
“We need the whole world right now to be really good neighbors to this region,” the governor said.
State Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson said hundreds of homes were damaged,
Kayla Patterson, her husband and their five children huddled in a tub in their basement in London, the county seat, as the tornado raged around them.
“You could literally hear just things ripping in the distance, glass shattering everywhere, just roaring like a freight train," she recalled Saturday. “It was terrible.”
The family eventually emerged to the sounds of sirens and panicked neighbors. While the family's own home was spared, others right behind it were demolished, Patterson said as the sound of power tools buzzed in the background. The neighborhood was dotted with piles of lumber, metal sheeting, insulation and stray belongings — a suitcase, a sofa, some six-packs of paper towels.
Rescuers were searching for survivors all night and into the morning, the sheriff's office said. An emergency shelter was set up at a local high school and donations of food and other necessities were arriving.
The National Weather Service hadn't yet confirmed that a tornado struck, but meteorologist Philomon Geertson said it was likely. It ripped across the largely rural area and extended to the London Corbin Airport shortly before midnight.
Resident Chris Cromer said he got the first of two tornado alerts on his phone around 11:30 p.m. or so, about a half-hour before the tornado struck. He and his wife grabbed their dog, jumped in their car and scrambled to the crawlspace at a relative’s nearby home because the couple’s own crawlspace is small.
“We could hear and feel the vibration of the tornado coming through,” said Cromer, 46. A piece of his roof was ripped off, and windows were broken, but homes around his were destroyed.
“It’s one of those things that you see on the news in other areas, and you feel bad for people — then, when it happens, it’s just surreal,” he said. “It makes you be thankful to be alive, really.”
The storm was the latest severe weather to cause deaths and widespread damage in Kentucky. Two months ago, at least 24 people died in a round of storms that swelled creeks and submerged roads. Hundreds of people were rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.
A storm in late 2021 spawned tornadoes that killed 81 people and leveled portions of towns in western Kentucky. The following summer, historic floodwaters inundated parts of eastern Kentucky, leaving dozens more dead.
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 area.
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 a punishing heat wave to Texas and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day.
“Well that was.....something,” the weather service's Chicago office wrote on X after issuing its first-ever dust storm warning for the city. Thunderstorms in central Illinois had pushed strong winds over dry, dusty farmland and northward into the Chicago area, the weather agency said.
In Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected in her city.
“The devastation is truly heartbreaking," she said at a news conference Saturday. An overnight curfew was to continue in the most damaged neighborhoods.
Weather service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games the same year.
Three people needed aid after part of the Centennial Christian Church crumbled, St. Louis Fire Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press.
Stacy Clark said his mother-in-law, Patricia Penelton, died in the church. He described her as a very active church volunteer who had many roles, including being part of the choir.
John Randle said he and his girlfriend were at the St. Louis Art Museum during the storm and were hustled into the basement with about 150 other people.
"You could see the doors flying open, tree branches flying by and people running,” said Randle, 19.
At the Saint Louis Zoo, falling trees severely damaged the roof of a butterfly facility. Staffers quickly corralled most of the butterflies, the zoo said on social media, and a conservatory in suburban Chesterfield is caring for the displaced creatures.
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.
The weather service said that supercells are likely to develop across parts of Texas and Oklahoma Saturday afternoon before becoming a line of storms in southwest Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas on Saturday night.
The biggest risks include large to very large hail that could be up to 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) in size, damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes.
These conditions were expected to continue on Sunday across parts of the central and southern Plains as well as parts of the central High Plains.
“Be prepared to take action if watches and warnings are issued for your area,” the weather service said.
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 Jackson, Kentucky, weather office, 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.
See more photos from the severe storms in the South and Midwest here.
Contributing were Associated Press writers Jennifer Peltz in New York, Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta, Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, Juan Lozano in Houston, and Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland.
Homes are destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Destroyed homes are seen after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, reaches for her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she reacts standing next to her destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Homes are destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Destroyed homes are seen after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A destoryed home is seen from above after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, reaches for her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she reacts standing next to her destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Bea Johnson, left, looks to her sister Kristie Sexton, right, as she is embraced by family friend Keith Adams as they stand next to Sexton's destroyed home after a severe storm passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Debris covers the ground and damaged vehicles after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A vehicle is covered in debris after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025,in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A person looks through the damage at a destroyed home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Hailee Allen holds a family picture saved from Lynn and Don White's home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed through the area Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Hailee Allen holds a family picture saved from Lynn and Don White's home, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Anthony Broughton digs through the debris of his destroyed home following a severe storm in the Sunshine Hill neighborhood of London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A home is destroyed after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Dennis Clark goes through the remains of his house that was destroyed by severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A destroyed home lays in a pile following severe weather in London, Kentucky, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
Houses lay destroyed following severe weather in London, Kentucky, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
This aerial photo provided by London, KY Mayor Randall Weddle shows damage from severe weather in London, Ky., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (City of London, Ky. via AP)
Doris Hensley, center, and Don Allen look over the remains of her home following severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Don Allen, right, hands Doris Hensley medication that they are retrieving from the remains of her home following severe weather last night in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Volunteers help clear debris from a road following severe storms last night in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Houses lay destroyed following severe weather in London, Ky., Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
A dust storm that originated in central Illinois moves through downtown Chicago on the evening of Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Kathleen Foody)
A building is damaged as debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
A firefighter enters a damaged building after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground and a vehicle after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Debris covers the ground after a severe storm passed the area on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in St. Louis, Mo. ( KMOV via AP)
Steven Lampink sits on a downed tree after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Damaged and fallen trees are seen in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A large tree blocks a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A man sits in a chair after a severe storm moved through St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Steven Lampink sits on a downed tree after a severe storm moved through St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Debris is seen after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Drivers navigate around debris in the roadway after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person walks past a large tree blocking a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People navigate downed trees left in the wake of a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A person looks at damage caused by a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
People survey damage after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Greg Simmons, 55, a St. Louis resident, surveyed damage after a storm ripped the roof off of his home on Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis)
Cody Sparks, left, and Eric Combs with Lewis Tree Service work to clear a tree off of a power line near on 92nd Street near Caledonia, Mich. on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
Zeeland resident Maddie Pellegrini clears debris outside her family's home on 64th Avenue in Drenthe east of Zeeland, Mich. on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Isaac Ritchey/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A snapped utility pole stands awkwardly off of 92nd Street near Caledonia, Mich. on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree is uprooted from Thursday night's storm in Trail Creek, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Downed trees are shown blocking Leo and Oakland Avenues in Trail Creek, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
A snapped tree is shown up against an apartment on Salem Court in Michigan City, Ind. on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Damage from Thursday's storm is shown along U.S. 20 in Michigan City, Ind., on Friday, May 16, 2025. (Donavan Barrier /La Porte County Herald-Dispatch via AP)
Trees lay in a playground in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree branch covers a bus in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree lays in a parking lot in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
A tree lays on a house in Dorr, Mich., after a severe storm ripped across Michigan the night before, on Friday, May 16. 2025. (Neil Blake /The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
