United States: As communities across the central U.S. grapple with the aftermath of devastating tornadoes, the National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of more severe weather in the coming days. A wide range of hazardous conditions is forecast, from powerful thunderstorms and giant hailstones across the Plains to heavy snow in the mountains out West, and extreme heat surging through the South.
The recent spate of violent storms has already claimed more than two dozen lives. Kentucky, in particular, has been left reeling. A tornado that tore through southeastern Laurel County on Friday killed at least 19 people and left 10 others critically injured. Authorities warn the death toll could climb, with three people still in critical condition as of Sunday.
In London, Kentucky, residents like Zach Wilson are scrambling to recover what they can. His parents’ home was among the many reduced to rubble. “We’re trying our best to salvage anything of value—especially family photos and important documents,” Wilson said. He and his brother had rushed to rescue their parents after the storm hit. “It was still raining and pitch dark, but each lightning strike showed us what felt like a nightmare—everything was gone.”
Emergency response teams are expected to begin damage surveys Monday, a crucial step before Kentucky can seek federal disaster assistance, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed. Meanwhile, crews continue working to clear debris from nearly two dozen state roads, some of which could remain closed for several days.
In St. Louis, Missouri, five people lost their lives and 38 others were injured after the same system swept through the region. Mayor Cara Spencer said over 5,000 homes were damaged. City inspectors spent Sunday combing through impacted areas to assess structural safety. “We’re urging residents not to venture into damaged zones unless absolutely necessary,” Spencer added.
A particularly destructive tornado struck from the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, carving a path of destruction about eight miles long with winds peaking at 150 mph. The storm even reached the Forest Park area, home to historic landmarks like the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympics.
Further south in Scott County, Missouri, two people died, and several others were hurt when a separate tornado destroyed multiple homes. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed the damage via social media.
The same system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, while parts of Illinois, including Chicago, were briefly engulfed in thick dust clouds. In Virginia, two people tragically died when trees fell on their vehicles during high winds in the D.C. suburbs.
The storms come amid ongoing concerns over staffing cuts to National Weather Service offices during the Trump administration, which some experts fear may be undermining the agency’s ability to issue timely and effective warnings.
Tornadoes: A Recurring Nightmare for the U.S.
The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country—roughly 1,200 each year. While traditionally concentrated in “Tornado Alley”—covering states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas—recent studies suggest a shift toward more frequent and deadlier tornadoes in the Southeast, an area with denser populations and more tree coverage.
Kentucky has a tragic history with tornadoes. One of the deadliest struck Louisville in 1890, collapsing downtown buildings and killing 76 people. More recently, a massive tornado in December 2021 lasted nearly five hours, traveled over 165 miles, and killed at least 57 people. That same day, another tornado in the St. Louis area led to the collapse of an Amazon warehouse in Illinois, killing six workers.
What’s Ahead?
Looking forward, the NWS predicts another round of dangerous storms, especially from central Kansas to Oklahoma, where tornado activity remains a serious threat. Areas from northeast Colorado to central Texas could see damaging winds and large hail.
Meanwhile, southern Texas is bracing for record-breaking triple-digit temperatures, raising alarms over wildfire risks in southern New Mexico and West Texas.
Out west, Idaho and western Montana could see up to a foot of snow, highlighting the extreme contrast in weather conditions sweeping across the country.
