Tornadoes tear through US Midwest, leaving 21 dead

At least 21 people have lost their lives, and many others sustained injuries after powerful tornadoes ripped through parts of Kentucky and Missouri.

Authorities in Kentucky confirmed 14 fatalities linked to the extreme weather, while Missouri reported seven deaths, five of them in St. Louis.

In Kentucky, the tornado hit Laurel County in the state's southeast early Saturday morning. Officials warned that the death toll could climb further.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, a tornado swept through on Friday, damaging around 5,000 structures, tearing off roofs, and bringing down power lines.

By Saturday afternoon, roughly 140,000 homes and businesses across both states were without electricity.

In St. Louis, emergency crews were going door-to-door in the hardest-hit neighborhoods to check for survivors.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed on Saturday that at least 38 people were injured in the area, mostly due to falling trees and collapsed structures.

In Kentucky, authorities also reported several serious injuries.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root stated on social media that rescue teams are still combing through the wreckage in search of survivors.

According to radar data from the National Weather Service, the tornado appeared to touch down just after 2:30 p.m. local time, in the western part of St. Louis near Forest Park—an area known for housing the St. Louis Zoo and serving as the site of the 1904 Olympic Games.

Three people were rescued after a portion of Centennial Christian Church collapsed in St. Louis, according to the city’s fire department.

Sadly, one of them did not survive.

In response to the widespread damage, authorities imposed a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in the two hardest-hit neighborhoods.

The aim is to protect residents from hazardous debris and deter any incidents of looting.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer described the situation as devastating.

"The destruction and loss of life are beyond heartbreaking," she said.

"While we know the recovery will take time, our immediate priority is preserving lives, ensuring safety, and giving our community space to mourn."

Meanwhile, the US National Weather Service confirmed that tornadoes also touched down in parts of Illinois, with severe weather threats extending as far east as the Atlantic coast.

It also issued a warning for possible tornado activity in northern Texas over the weekend due to intensifying storms.

The affected region falls within the area known as "Tornado Alley," where tornadoes are most common, especially in May and June, though they can occur throughout the year.

Since 2000, Missouri has averaged 16 tornadoes each May, while Kentucky has typically recorded about five.