Search and rescue efforts continue in Kentucky, Missouri after deadly tornado outbreak devastates communities
At least 18 people were killed in Kentucky, and at least seven others were killed in Missouri after a deadly tornado outbreak on Friday.
Deadly tornadoes carve paths of destruction in Kentucky, Missouri
Recovery operations are underway in Kentucky and Missouri after deadly tornadoes carved paths of destruction across the regions, including the St. Louis area. FOX Weather Meteorologists Kendall Smith and Michael Estie break down the latest on May 18, 2025.
LONDON, Ky. – Recovery operations are underway, and first responders are continuing their heroic efforts to search for survivors among the countless piles of destroyed homes and businesses in Kentucky and Missouri, days after a disastrous tornado outbreak tore across those regions, leaving dozens of people dead.
Kentucky suffered widespread damage, especially in London and Somerset. Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 18 people were killed in his state, although Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers believes that number could be closer to two dozen.
![Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 30Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 30People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 30A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 30Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 30Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 30Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 30TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky.]()
Image 8 of 30Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky. (@jsmithwx)
![Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.]()
Image 9 of 30Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. ( )
![Aerial footage of tornado damage in St. Louis]()
Image 10 of 30Aerial footage of tornado damage in St. Louis ( )
![Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.]()
Image 11 of 30Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. (Katie Byrne)
![Drone footage of Centennial Christian Church after the tornado.]()
Image 12 of 30Drone footage of Centennial Christian Church after the tornado. (Katie Byrne)
![Bricks and debris in front of Centennial Christian Church.]()
Image 13 of 30Bricks and debris in front of Centennial Christian Church. (Katie Byrne)
![Pulaski County (Kentucky) tornado damage]()
Image 14 of 30Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. (Somerset Pulaski County Special Response)
![Pulaski County (Kentucky) tornado damage]()
Image 15 of 30Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. (Somerset Pulaski County Special Response)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 16 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 17 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 18 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 19 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 20 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 21 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 22 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025.]()
Image 23 of 30An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025. (Sean Malone/KMOX News)
![An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025.]()
Image 24 of 30An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025. (Sean Malone/KMOX News)
![A tornado moves across parts of Missouri on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 25 of 30A tornado moves across parts of Missouri on May 16, 2025. (Brandon Copic)
![An uprooted tree is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 26 of 30An uprooted tree is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025. (timconttreras25/X)
![Storm damage is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 27 of 30Storm damage is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025. (timconttreras25/X)
![Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 28 of 30Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025. (Aishah French)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 29 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 30 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
Beshear is no stranger to deadly disasters slamming the state. Back in early April, several people were killed and hundreds were displaced after historic flooding. And just like he did during that disaster, Beshear held a news conference after touring the most recent severe weather damage that has impacted communities.
"We’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters in Kentucky in recent years," Beshear said. "And while we can’t know why Kentucky keeps getting hit, and it feels tough for our people to be facing this level of pain and destruction, one thing we know here in the commonwealth is how to come together, live our faith and values and help our neighbors in their time of need."
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Among the dead in Kentucky was a longtime firefighter, according to the Laurel County Fire Department. Officials said Maj. Leslie Roger Leatherman was fatally injured during his heroic response to the devastating tornado that slammed the community.
"This is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our first responders face every day, and the incredible bravery they show in the face of disaster," officials said.
Residents there were being asked to stay away and allow first responders to continue their work safely and effectively.
‘IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF’: TORNADO LEAVES TRAIL OF DEVASTATION IN KENTUCKY
Deadly tornado leaves trail of damage in London, Kentucky
A tornado that swept through London, Kentucky Friday night left multiple people dead and a wide swath of significant damage.
Video from London on Friday showed extensive damage, with multiple homes destroyed and vehicles barely recognizable as debris littered the neighborhood and lightning still flashed in the background.
"(My daughter) got scared, so we went to the hallway," a woman named Leslie, who survived the storm with her family, told emergency officials in the video. "And we were in there about two minutes and then my husband came running in and pretty much jumped on top of her because you could feel the air sucking in, and it sounded like a train. And then we saw stuff falling, and next thing you knew, most of the house was gone."
Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025.
(London Mayor Randall Weddle / FOX Weather)
London Mayor Randall Weddle posted several photos from an aerial tour of the damage given by Air Evac Life Team, which itself lost its hangar and one of its helicopters to the tornado.
Photos show wide swaths of damaged buildings across the London Corbin airport and into surrounding neighborhoods.
Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025.
(Somerset Pulaski County Special Response / FOX Weather)
A state of emergency was declared in Somerset, in Pulaski County, after a tornado with a preliminary rating of EF-2 tore across that community.
"Damage is extensive and loss of life occurred, the extent of which is not fully reported as of this (declaration)," Somerset Mayor Alan Keck said.
While one of the deaths in Kentucky occurred in Somerset, Keck said the tornado spared hundreds of homes.
Beshear said first responders from Kentucky Emergency Management, the Kentucky National Guard, the Kentucky State Police, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have been in the area since Saturday morning.
Deadly Missouri tornado rated EF-3
Powerful winds send trees, debris down St. Louis street
Footage shot on Friday afternoon shows powerful winds in St. Louis, Missouri, hurling brush and debris down Pershing Avenue.
At least seven people were killed in Missouri when the severe weather and tornadoes swept across the state, including in the St. Louis area.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that slammed St. Louis has a preliminary rating of EF-3, with winds estimated to be about 140 mph. In addition, the twister was up to a mile wide at some points when it was carving out its path of deadly destruction.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said at least five storm-related fatalities have been confirmed in her city. She also implemented a city-wide curfew because over 5,000 homes were affected by the storms.
Much of the damage in the St. Louis area seems to have happened in the University City area.
WOMAN KILLED AFTER CHURCH ROOF COLLAPSES DURING TORNADO STRIKE IN ST. LOUIS
Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025.
(Aishah French / FOX Weather)
FOX News Multimedia Reporter Olivianna Calmes found damage in Clayton, just south of University City. She said she has seen several trees damaged, and some trees have fallen on cars in the area.
"The skies turned green," Rachel, a resident of Clayton, told Calmes. "The winds started whipping. Then, it fell silent, and then you heard what sounded like a train, and everything started falling.
In Scott County, located about 2 hours south of St. Louis, the sheriff reported at least two storm-related deaths and multiple injuries.