Tornadoes ripped through parts of the US Midwest on Saturday, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens more. The storms hit Kentucky and Missouri, causing widespread destruction and power outages.
Devastation in Kentucky and Missouri
In Kentucky, officials reported 18 deaths linked to the tornadoes. The storms swept through Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky early Saturday. Officials expect the death toll to rise. In Missouri, seven people died, including five in St. Louis. The tornadoes damaged over 5,000 buildings and knocked down power lines.
The storms left around 140,000 homes and businesses without electricity in Missouri and Kentucky. Crews in St. Louis conducted door-to-door checks in the hardest-hit areas. St. Louis Mayor Kara Spencer said at least 38 people were injured, mainly due to falling debris or trees.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Kentucky officials also reported multiple injuries and were searching for survivors in affected areas. The National Weather Service said radar data showed the tornado touched down in Missouri around 2:30 p.m. local time, west of St. Louis.
Rescuers pulled three people from the rubble of a partially collapsed church in St. Louis. One of them later died. Authorities imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the most damaged areas to prevent injuries from debris and reduce looting risks.
The source of this information is https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70nw7v5ykyo.