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Metro
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Black tornado looms 'like scene in Stranger Things' in storms which killed 27
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Apocalyptic' storms which swept across parts of the US Midwest and South have left at least 27 people dead. Across Kentucky, at least 18 people were killed by severe weather, and another 10 were in a critical condition in hospital, Governor Andy Beshear said yesterday. Residents of Somerset, Kentucky, shared videos online of a tornado looming over their town, lit up by flashes of lightning, with one comment saying it 'literally looks like Stranger Things' and others quoting Bible verses about Judgement Day. Samantha Taylor told local TV channel WKYT-TV she had been in a cinema watching Final Destination at the time it struck. 'Then in the middle of a movie, we got the tornado warning alarms and the movie went on for a few minutes, and then all the power went out,' she said. 'The next thing I know, one of the workers were telling us to get down, and then the roof collapsed in one of the theaters, and debris were flying. We were hunkering down in the hallway, and I was helping a mom to shield her kids from the debris.' In Laurel County, rescuers were searching for survivors all night, according to the Sheriff's Office, after buildings crumbled and cars were flipped near the town of London. @thesalyer5 ♬ original sound – ♡ Shelbie ♡ '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. An emergency shelter has been set up at a local high school, and donations of food and other necessities are arriving. The storms were part of a weather system on Friday that killed seven people 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. National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm 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. St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes were affected. 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. Chicago is also experiencing severe weather. More Trending An apocalyptic 'wall of dust' barrelled across the windy city — so vast, it's visible from space. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Satellite imagery shows the storm swallowing highways and buildings, plunging the city of 2.6 million people into darkness. It has triggered visibility warnings, halted traffic, and left Chicago residents choking on dust. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a dust storm warning, only the second time in history it has done so. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Food that could feed 3,500,000 for a month rots after Trump's aid cuts MORE: Map shows severe storms in US after 21 killed across three states MORE: 'Uber has innovated so hard… they invented a bus'
Metro
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Map shows severe storms in US after 21 killed across three states
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Storm systems are sweeping across parts of the US Midwest and South, leaving at least 21 dead, including nine people who were killed in a tornado in south-east Kentucky. Rescuers were searching for survivors all night, according to the Sheriff's Office in Laurel County, Kentucky, where structures crumbled and cars were flipped near the town of London. '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.' An emergency shelter has been set up at a local high school, and donations of food and other necessities are arriving. But warnings remain in place over much of the region. The storms were part of a weather system on Friday that killed seven people 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. Forecasters say more severe weather could be on the way. '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 Centre said on its website Saturday. The risk is especially high for North Texas. National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm 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. St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes were affected. 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. Chicago is also experiencing severe weather. More Trending An apocalyptic 'wall of dust' barrelled across the windy city — so vast, it's visible from space. Satellite imagery shows the storm swallowing highways and buildings, plunging the city of 2.6 million people into darkness. It has triggered visibility warnings, halted traffic, and left Chicago residents choking on dust. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a dust storm warning, only the second time in history it has done so. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Uber has innovated so hard… they invented a bus' MORE: 'Armed and dangerous' prisoners escape through hole behind toilet while guard was on break MORE: TGI Fridays overhauls menu in comeback attempt after closing dozens of US locations
The Hill
17-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Severe Midwest weather leaves 9 dead in Kentucky
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Storm systems sweeping across the Midwest have left at least 16 dead, including nine people killed after a tornado sparked what authorities called a mass casualty event in southeastern Kentucky. Kentucky authorities said there were also severe injuries when a twister tore across Laurel County late 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. Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesman for the sheriff's office, said rescuers have 'been on the ground all night looking for possible survivors. That's what we're continuing to do.' Gov. Andy Beshear said his office would release more information as soon as it becomes available. 'Last night a major storm hit South Central Kentucky causing multiple fatalities. We are working diligently to confirm initial reports, but we know this is a tragic event,' he said in a statement. In Laurel County, the tornado 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.' 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. 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. 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. 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. ___ Associated Press writers Haya Panjwani in Washington, D.C., Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed to this story.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kentucky Zoo Director Recovering After Bite from 'Highly Venomous' Snake
Kentucky Reptile Zoo co-director Jim Harrison was working on an anti-venom project with two Jameson's mamba snakes when he was bitten A Jameson's mamba is a type of snake that is "highly venomous," with a bite that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure Harrison said that after the bite, he received anti-venom and was put in a helicopter to the hospital, where he was intubated A Kentucky zoo director is lucky to be alive after a bite from a venomous snake. Jim Harrison, co-director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, told WKYT-TV that he had been attempting to breed two snakes on Monday, April 28, for an anti-venom project when a Jameson's mamba snake suddenly bit him. "The male shot out. I grabbed it with wraps, and then the female took advantage of me not paying attention and then shot up and bit me," Harrison recalled to the outlet. A Jameson's mamba is a "dull green snake" native to equatorial Africa that is "highly venomous," according to the African Snake Bite Institute. The institute added that the snake's bite is potently neurotoxic, which means its venom can affect the nervous system and cause paralysis and respiratory failure. Related: How I Survived a Venomous Snake Bite in My Own Backyard — Then 10 Hours of 'Excruciating Pain' (Exclusive) Kentucky Reptile Zoo co-director Kristen Wiley said that after Harrison was bitten, he was "in pretty serious shape rather quickly," adding that zoo staff needed to rush to get him a dose of antivenom that she called "anti-serum." Harrison, who has received at least 16 snake bites throughout his career, said that he had a keeper drive him from the zoo in Slade to Stanton, about 10 miles away, where the "anti-serum vials" were located. "And they started the anti-serum, five vials there, they put me in the helicopter and intubated me, and after that, I don't know anything," Harrison recalled to WKYT-TV. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Those guys here that responded right away, they definitely saved his life," Wiley told the outlet. "[Harrison] was in the ICU for about three days. He was intubated for about two days, which means he was on a ventilator for that time." Wiley said Harrison is "recovering well," and will hopefully "leave the hospital soon." However, there are still some withdrawal symptoms that Harrison is facing, including a shooting pain in the bitten arm. Related: Va. Man Narrowly Avoids Venomous Snake Bite After Finding Copperhead on His Washing Machine "It's not instant pain. The pain is some of the muscle breaking down, I believe," Harrison told WKYT-TV. "There's not a lot known about this particular species and, as far as I know, nobody in the United States has been bitten by one." He explained to the outlet that he had been researching Jameson's mamba venom to create an antivenom and that the venom is being studied as an alternative to opioid pain treatment. "Obviously, that would be a huge advantage if they could mitigate pain without having the same addictive tendencies as opioids do," Harrison said. Despite being hospitalized in the ICU, Harrison said he is still determined to continue his work. He told WKYT-TV, "As soon as they let me go, I'm back working." Read the original article on People
Epoch Times
05-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Kentucky Man Who Won Powerball Jackpot Lands in Florida Jail Days Later
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—A Kentucky Powerball winner was arrested and charged with kicking a police officer in Florida days after he won a $167 million jackpot. James S. Farthing, who goes by Shannon, found out on Sunday, April 27, that he won the state's biggest ever jackpot after his mother called him, according to a media release from the Kentucky Lottery. The lottery said Farthing and his mother were splitting the winnings. But Farthing, 50, was in a Florida jail by midweek, according to media reports. He has been charged with battery of a police officer and resisting arrest after a Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy was attempting to break up a fight between Farthing and another person in a hotel when Farthing kicked the officer in the face, according to a police report written on April 29. The officer told Farthing to turn around put his hands behind his back, but Farthing attempted to flee, the police report said. Farthing was booked into jail early morning of April 30 and remained in custody on May 5, according to the county's online jail records. Farthing went to lottery headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, on April 28 with his mother, Linda Grizzle, to claim their winnings. 'It's going to be a good Mother's Day,' Grizzle told lottery officials. 'This is going to pay off my debt.' Grizzle said she called her son on April 27 saying she thought they had the winning ticket. They rushed to the gas station where he bought the ticket to confirm it, the lottery said. Related Stories 4/16/2025 2/27/2025 'I would have never dreamed it. It hasn't sunken in yet,' she said. In an interview with WKYT-TV that day, Farthing said the winnings would help his mother. 'I've caused a lot of stress on her, you know, I've made some bad decisions in life and, you know, God's been good because I've kept my faith and done right,' he told the news station. The winning numbers were 1-12-14-18-69 and the Powerball was 2. The family was told they could take a cash option of $77.3 million or receive 30 graduated annual payments for the winnings. Lottery officials said the total was the largest Powerball jackpot ever won in Kentucky, topping a $128 million jackpot in 2009. Online court records in Kentucky show Farthing has been arrested several times in recent years on various charges, including assault and domestic violence. An attorney for Farthing listed in court records did not immediately respond to an email message on May 2. Dylan Lovan
