LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Severe storms are forecasted to hit the central U.S. this week, following catastrophic weather events that resulted in over two dozen fatalities, including a devastating tornado in Kentucky. The National Weather Service has warned that a wide range of hazardous weather conditions will affect various regions, from thunderstorms and possible baseball-sized hail in the Plains to heavy snowfall in the West and extreme heat in the South.
Communities in Kentucky and Missouri, which were recently struck by tornadoes, remain at risk for further thunderstorms. In London, Kentucky, residents whose homes were destroyed are scrambling to protect salvageable belongings. Zach Wilson, who witnessed the devastation firsthand, shared that he and his brother rushed to help their parents. "Everything was gone," he recounted, expressing gratitude for being able to rescue his family members from their barricaded home.
The storms have claimed lives, with at least 19 fatalities and 10 injuries reported in Kentucky alone, as a tornado on Friday wrecked hundreds of homes while tossing vehicles in southeastern Laurel County. Authorities expect the death toll to rise as three individuals remain in critical condition. Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear mentioned that survey teams would assess the damage, enabling the state to seek federal disaster assistance. Some roads affected by the storm might take days to reopen.
In St. Louis, five people died and 38 were injured as the storm system moved through on Friday. Mayor Cara Spencer reported that over 5,000 homes were impacted, prompting city inspectors to evaluate the damage and condemn unsafe structures. "Please do not sightsee in impacted areas," she urged residents. The tornado originated in Clayton, a St. Louis suburb, traveling eight miles with winds reaching 150 mph and a width of one mile. It caused significant destruction near prominent locations like Forest Park, which houses the St. Louis Zoo.
Additionally, in Scott County, about 130 miles south of St. Louis, another tornado resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The severe weather system also created tornadoes in Wisconsin and caused a dust cloud to temporarily enshroud parts of Illinois, including Chicago. Two individuals were killed in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., due to falling trees while they were driving.
The storms come amid concerns related to staffing reductions at National Weather Service offices during the Trump administration, as experts worry about the potential implications for storm warnings and public safety in future disasters.
Historically, the majority of the world's tornadoes occur in the U.S., averaging around 1,200 annually. However, research indicates a trend where deadly tornadoes are becoming less frequent in "Tornado Alley" while their occurrence is increasing in more populated southern regions. These storms can strike at any hour of the day, though certain seasons—typically from May to early June for the southern Plains—are known for higher tornado activity.
Kentucky's deadliest tornado was recorded in March 1890, which devastated downtown Louisville, killing 76 people. The last major tornado to inflict mass casualties in the state occurred in December 2021, lasting almost five hours and claiming 57 lives while injuring over 500 individuals.
Looking ahead, meteorologists forecast thunderstorms with damaging wind potential from northeast Colorado to central Texas. Tornadoes are expected to remain a threat from central Kansas to Oklahoma. Meanwhile, parts of south Texas may experience record-breaking triple-digit temperatures, along with critical wildfire conditions anticipated in southern New Mexico and West Texas. In contrast, up to a foot of snow is predicted for sections of Idaho and western Montana.
Authorities and communities continue to brace for ongoing weather-related challenges, with efforts focused on recovery and ensuring the safety of affected areas.
