Latest news with #JohnRoot
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Laurel County tornado victims can get free legal counseling: Here's how
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A London law firm is connecting those going through the stress of picking up the pieces to free legal counseling after the largest, most deadly tornado to touch down on Kentucky in over 50 years. Laurel County Sheriff John Root said in a Facebook video on Wednesday, May 21, that staff members with Tomaw Law Offices would be posted at the back of the Sunshine Hills area by the surveillance tower, ready to answer any legal questions for storm victims at no cost. In the video, Jaime Tomaw said she would be on-site from noon until 5 p.m. to help those impacted. Wedding dress lost in London tornado finds its way back to owner Airbnb offers free housing to Kentucky tornado survivors UK student-athletes to lead donation drive for southern Kentucky tornado relief 'If you guys have any questions about understanding contracts or anything like that, I'm here to answer any questions you guys could have,' Tomaw said. Tomaw Law Offices can also be contacted by phone at (606) 321-0200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
North Wales Chronicle
17-05-2025
- Climate
- North Wales Chronicle
Severe weather leaves nine dead in Kentucky
Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late on Friday. 'The search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors,' the office of Sheriff John Root said. Tornado Warning continues for Brevard NC until 5:30 AM EDT — NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) May 17, 2025 In Missouri, at least seven people died and authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt after severe storms, including at least one possible tornado. The storms were part of a severe weather system that 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. In Missouri, the storms on Friday afternoon tore roofs off buildings, blew out windows, ripped bricks off siding and yanked up trees and power lines. 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,' Ms Spencer said, adding that the city was in the process of declaring an emergency and an overnight curfew on Friday had been put into place in the areas 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. Plenty of active severe weather across the eastern third of the nation this afternoon including both severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings. Keep in mind what your plans is for each, and check for the latest at — National Weather Service (@NWS) May 16, 2025 National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm local time 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. 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. 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. Downed trees and stop lights also caused traffic gridlock during the Friday afternoon commute and officials urged people to stay home. The upper stories of the Harlem Taproom's brick building were demolished when the storm came through, leaving piles of bricks around the outside. About 20 people were inside, but they huddled in the back of the building and none were hurt, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. 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. All animals were safe and 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,' US National Weather Service meteorologist Marshall Pfahler said. A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles south of St Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media. 'Our first responders acted swiftly, even while the tornado was still active, putting themselves in harm's way to provide immediate assistance and care to those injured,' he said.
Rhyl Journal
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Rhyl Journal
Severe weather leaves nine dead in Kentucky
Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late on Friday. 'The search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors,' the office of Sheriff John Root said. Tornado Warning continues for Brevard NC until 5:30 AM EDT — NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) May 17, 2025 In Missouri, at least seven people died and authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt after severe storms, including at least one possible tornado. The storms were part of a severe weather system that 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. In Missouri, the storms on Friday afternoon tore roofs off buildings, blew out windows, ripped bricks off siding and yanked up trees and power lines. 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,' Ms Spencer said, adding that the city was in the process of declaring an emergency and an overnight curfew on Friday had been put into place in the areas 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. Plenty of active severe weather across the eastern third of the nation this afternoon including both severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings. Keep in mind what your plans is for each, and check for the latest at — National Weather Service (@NWS) May 16, 2025 National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm local time 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. 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. 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. Downed trees and stop lights also caused traffic gridlock during the Friday afternoon commute and officials urged people to stay home. The upper stories of the Harlem Taproom's brick building were demolished when the storm came through, leaving piles of bricks around the outside. About 20 people were inside, but they huddled in the back of the building and none were hurt, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. 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. All animals were safe and 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,' US National Weather Service meteorologist Marshall Pfahler said. A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles south of St Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media. 'Our first responders acted swiftly, even while the tornado was still active, putting themselves in harm's way to provide immediate assistance and care to those injured,' he said.
Al Jazeera
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
At least 21 dead after storms hit US states of Missouri and Kentucky
At least 21 people have died after tornadoes caused by severe storms swept through the states of Missouri and Kentucky in the United States, officials said. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear on Saturday said on X that at least 14 people died in Friday night's storms. At least seven others were killed in Missouri as authorities launched a search for people trapped in buildings. Kentucky authorities said there were severe injuries when a tornado tore across Laurel County late on Friday. 'The search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors,' the office of Sheriff John Root said in a statement posted on social media. In Missouri, St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes were affected. 'Our city is in mourning tonight,' she told reporters. 'The loss of life and destruction is truly, truly horrific.' Another tornado struck Scott County, about 209km (130 miles) south of St Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media on Friday. 'Our first responders acted swiftly, even while the tornado was still active, putting themselves in harm's way to provide immediate assistance and care to those injured,' he said. The storms are part of a severe weather system that has also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, leaving thousands of people without power in the Great Lakes region and bringing a punishing heatwave to Texas. A dust storm warning was issued around the Chicago area on Friday night. The weather service said a wall of dust extended along a 161km (100-mile) line from southwest of Chicago to northern Indiana that severely reduced visibility. In Texas, a heat advisory was issued for San Antonio and Austin cities, with temperatures at a blistering 95F (35C) to 105F (40.5C). Parts of the southern East Coast, from Virginia to Florida, also battled with heat in the 90s (32-37C). The National Weather Service Office for Austin and San Antonio said humidity over the weekend was expected to make temperatures feel hotter. 'There are concerns of heat exhaustion for people that aren't taking proper precautions when they're outdoors,' meteorologist Jason Runyen said, advising those affected to take breaks and stay hydrated.
The Journal
17-05-2025
- Climate
- The Journal
At least 16 dead after severe storms and tornadoes move across central US
STORM SYSTEMS SWEEPING across the US Midwest have left at least 16 people dead, including nine people killed after a tornado sparked a mass casualty event in south-eastern Kentucky. Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late on Friday. 'The search is continuing in the damaged area for survivors,' the office of Sheriff John Root said. Tornado Warning continues for Brevard NC until 5:30 AM EDT — NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) May 17, 2025 In Missouri, at least seven people died and authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt after severe storms, including at least one possible tornado. The storms were part of a severe weather system that 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. In Missouri, the storms on Friday afternoon tore roofs off buildings, blew out windows, ripped bricks off siding and yanked up trees and power lines. The city of St Louis (pictured) was heavily affected. PA PA 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 on Friday had been put into place in the areas 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. Advertisement St Louis Children's Hospital received 15 patients with two of them expected to remain in the hospital into the weekend, she said. Plenty of active severe weather across the eastern third of the nation this afternoon including both severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warnings. Keep in mind what your plans is for each, and check for the latest at . — National Weather Service (@NWS) May 16, 2025 National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm local time 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. 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. 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. Storms downed a number of trees and power lines in Missouri. PA PA Downed trees and stop lights also caused traffic gridlock during the Friday afternoon commute and officials urged people to stay home. The upper stories of the Harlem Taproom's brick building were demolished when the storm came through, leaving piles of bricks around the outside. About 20 people were inside, but they huddled in the back of the building and none were hurt, the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported. 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. All animals were safe and 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,' US National Weather Service meteorologist Marshall Pfahler said. A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles south of St Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media. 'Our first responders acted swiftly, even while the tornado was still active, putting themselves in harm's way to provide immediate assistance and care to those injured,' he said.
