Destructive storms, tornadoes across Midwest kill at least 21 people. Here's what to know

CBS News

17-05-2025

Disastrous systems sweeping across the Midwest have left at least 21 dead, including nine people killed after a tornado sparked what authorities called a mass casualty event in southeastern Kentucky.
The storms were part of a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, left several hundred thousand customers without power in the Great Lakes region and brought a punishing heat wave to Texas.
Kentucky slammed by devastating tornado, mass casualty event
In Kentucky, some 14 people have been killed by severe weather - including a devastating tornado - in Kentucky, and the death toll is likely to rise, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
"Kentucky, we're starting today with the tough news that we lost at least 14 of our people to last night's storms, but sadly, this number is expected to grow as we receive more information. Please pray for all of our affected families," Beshear said Saturday in a post on social media platform X.
Earlier, authorities in Laurel County said nine people were killed after a tornado touched down in southeastern Kentucky.
Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late Friday, causing structures to crumble and even flipping over a car on I-75.
"The search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors," the office of Sheriff John Root said in a statement posted on social media. An emergency shelter was set up at a local high school and donations of food and other necessities were arriving.
"The outpouring from our community has been heartwarming. We are continuing to accept donations," the Sheriff's Office said.
Spokesperson Gilbert Acciardo said rescuers have "been on the ground all night looking for possible survivors. That's what we're continuing to do."
The tornado, which ripped across the largely rural area and extended to the London Corbin Airport, hit shortly before midnight.
"Lives have been changed forever here tonight. This is a time we come together, and we pray for this community," London Mayor Randall Weddle told WKYT-TV. "I have never personally witnessed what I've witnessed here tonight. There's a lot of devastation."
Missouri church, zoo landmarks devastated by tornadoes
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes were affected.
"This is truly, truly devastating," Spencer said, adding that the city was in the process of declaring an emergency and an overnight curfew Friday had been put into place in the neighborhoods with the most damage.
The number of people injured was not immediately known. Barnes-Jewish Hospital received 20 to 30 patients from the storm with some in serious condition and most expected to be discharged by Friday night, according to hospital spokesperson Laura High.
St. Louis Children's Hospital received 15 patients with two of them expected to remain in the hospital into the weekend, she said
National Weather Service radar indicated a 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. Five people were killed in St. Louis and 2 in Scott County near Sloanville. Sloanville is north of Sikeston, Missouri State Police confirmed to CBS News.
At Centennial Christian Church, City of St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press that three people had to be rescued after part of the church crumbled. One of those people died.
A large tree blocks a road after a severe storm moved through Friday, May 16, 2025, in St. Louis.
Jeff Roberson / AP
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.
Jeffrey Simmons Sr., who lives across from the church, heard an alert on his phone and then the lights went out.
"And next thing you know, a lot of noise, heavy wind," he said. He and his brother went into the basement. Later, he realized it was worse than he thought. "Everything was tore up."
Downed trees and stop lights also caused traffic gridlock during the Friday afternoon commute and officials urged people to stay home.
John Randle, a 19-year-old University of Missouri-St. Louis student, 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," he said. "A lot of people were caught outside."
Christy Childs, a Saint Louis Zoo spokesperson, said in a text that the zoo would remain closed Saturday because of downed trees and other damage. Childs said all animals were safe and that there were no reports of significant injuries to staff, guests or animals.
"We can't definitively say whether or not it was a tornado - it likely was," National Weather Service meteorologist Marshall Pfahler said.
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.
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.
Michael Phillis / AP
"Severe thunderstorms producing large to very large hail, damaging gusts and a couple of tornadoes are expected across the southern Plains," the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center said on its website Saturday. The risk was especially high for north Texas.
A tornado touched down near the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Marion in Marion, Illinois, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokesperson confirmed to CBS News. Although FCI Marion was not in the tornado's path, the staff housing was directly hit and sustained significant damage.
"As a temporary measure, the movement for certain incarcerated individuals has been suspended and accountability procedures are in place," the spokesperson said.