Severe weather, including devastating tornadoes, swept through Missouri and Kentucky over the weekend, claiming at least 25 lives. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported that fatalities in his state rose from 14 to 18, primarily in Laurel County, where a tornado was initially classified as EF3. Tragically, one of the deceased was a firefighter. In Missouri, seven fatalities were recorded, most notably five in St. Louis County and two in Scott County.
In response to the disaster, Beshear pledged that state resources would be mobilized to assist those affected. Ten individuals in Kentucky remained in critical condition due to weather-related injuries. Clean-up efforts in impacted areas, such as Sunshine Hills in London, KY, were underway, with community members and crews working to remove debris.
St. Louis hospitals reported treating over 60 patients, with specific attention to children at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where two were in critical condition. Most patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital were discharged or expected to be soon. The severe weather affected around 5,000 buildings in St. Louis following the tornadoes that struck the area.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated she was in communication with governors from Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois to discuss federal support for the disaster-struck regions. The extreme weather was a result of a clash between warm and cool air systems, leading to 28 reported tornadoes on Friday. Utility outages were significant, with over 63,000 customers in Missouri and 58,000 in Kentucky experiencing power loss. Efforts to restore services and support victims are ongoing amid this tragic situation.
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