A powerful storm system swept across the central United States, spawning deadly tornadoes and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At least 16 people were killed, nine in southeastern Kentucky and seven in Missouri, while hundreds of thousands were left without power.

The violent weather, which began Friday, damaged homes, toppled power lines, and battered communities across Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. By Saturday morning, over 700,000 homes and businesses across more than a dozen states were without electricity, with Kentucky and Missouri among the hardest hit.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 14 deaths on Saturday morning, later updated to 16 and warned that the toll could rise. “We lost at least 14 of our people to last night’s storms, but sadly, this number is expected to grow,” he said, urging prayers for the victims and their families.

Laurel County, Kentucky, was especially devastated. A tornado tore through the Sunshine Hills area late Friday, flattening buildings, overturning cars and leaving piles of debris. The Laurel County Fiscal Court confirmed multiple fatalities and serious injuries, with emergency crews still searching through rubble.

“This is truly devastating,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle. “I’ve never personally witnessed anything like this. There’s a lot of devastation.”

Neighboring Pulaski County was also struck. In Somerset, officials reported heavy damage and downed power lines. A state of emergency was declared, and residents were urged to remain indoors as search and recovery efforts continued.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, a tornado tore through the St. Louis area Friday afternoon, killing at least seven people. The National Weather Service had issued a warning for an “extremely dangerous tornado” in the region. The storm caused significant structural damage, collapsing buildings and ripping off roofs.

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer described the destruction as "truly a lot of damage," noting that several city blocks were severely affected. Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson reported that about 20 blocks were damaged and every window in a local firehouse had been blown out. Around 500 first responders are involved in ongoing rescue efforts.

Hospitals across the region were overwhelmed. St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted 15 patients, and another 20 to 30 people were taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Authorities imposed a curfew in parts of St. Louis and are preparing a formal state of emergency declaration. “Our priority is saving lives,” Spencer emphasized.

The storms are part of a larger, multi-day severe weather event that is expected to continue into next week. As the system weakens in the Midwest, new storms are forecast to develop along the U.S.-Mexico border, putting over 20 million people in the Southwest at risk.

Officials across affected areas are urging residents to stay alert, avoid downed power lines and prepare for continued hazardous conditions as cleanup and recovery begin.