Deadly Tornadoes Devastate US Midwest
A series of devastating tornadoes ripped through the central United States over the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least 28 lives. Kentucky and Missouri were particularly hard-hit, with numerous injuries also reported.
Impact and Casualties
The severe weather event, described by officials as an unusually intense spring outbreak, unleashed its fury on Friday night. Kentucky reported 19 fatalities, the majority in Laurel County. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that several hospitalized victims are in critical condition. Among the dead was veteran firefighter Major Leslie Leatherman, whose loss was mourned by the Laurel County Fire Department.
In Missouri, seven deaths were recorded, including five in St. Louis, where extensive damage impacted thousands of buildings. Mayor Cara Spencer described it as one of the worst storms in the city's history.
Cause and Response
Emergency management officials attributed the tornadoes to powerful supercell thunderstorms that spawned at least 26 twisters across Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. Residents recounted harrowing experiences, with some narrowly escaping the destruction.
The disaster prompted federal aid for affected Kentucky counties, though concerns linger over staffing shortages at National Weather Service offices. The National Weather Service is warning of more potential severe weather.
Shifting Tornado Patterns
Researchers have noted a shift in tornado activity, with deadly events becoming less frequent in traditional "Tornado Alley" and more common in the Mid-South.
