2025 – May 16-17, severe weather and tornadoes, parts of MO (7), KY (19), VA (2) — 28
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-21-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
— 28 AP. “Residents dig out from tornado damage after storms kill 28 in [KY, MO, VA].” 5-18.
–19 Kentucky
— Laurell County. Most of the deaths.
–1 Russell County woman.
— 7 Missouri
–5 St. Louis
–2 Scott County tornado
— 2 northern Virginia
—>27 AP. “Severe weather leaves at least 27 dead, including 18 in Kentucky.” 5-17-2025.
–18 Kentucky
–17 Laurel County, KY
— 1 Pulaski County, KY
— 7 Missouri
— 5 St. Louis MO
–1 Patricia Penelton, at Centennial Christian Church.
— 2 Scott County
— 2 Virginia
—>21 NBC News. “At least 21 killed, dozens injured as suspected tornadoes hit [MO & KY].” 5-17-2025.
–14 KY
— 7 MO
Narrative Information
May 16-17, NBC News: “At least 21 people were killed when severe weather, including possible tornadoes, swept through parts of Missouri and Kentucky from Friday into Saturday morning, authorities said.
“Fourteen were dead in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said on X Saturday morning. “Sadly, this number is expected to grow as we receive more information,” he added.
“Laurel County, Kentucky, Sheriff John Root reported “numerous severe injuries.” He said a tornado touched down late Friday night and that the search for survivors continued.
“In Missouri, five were killed in St. Louis County, and two others in Scott County, according to officials. At least 38 people were reported injured in the city of St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said in a news briefing Saturday morning. That number is expected to increase, officials said. Spencer also said that severe weather has affected around 5,000 buildings in the city. “Our inspectors are out there making sure that we are, first and foremost, assessing the damage to be condemning buildings, and moving through demolition and other security as we go through this,” Spencer said at the briefing. Spencer described the devastation seen around the city as “tremendous.” “I would describe this as one of the worst storms, absolutely,” she said. “The devastation is truly heartbreaking, and let’s not forget, people have lost their lives.”
“A spokesperson for both St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Barnes -Jewish Hospital said the facilities have received over 60 patients in total, with the children’s facility getting 15 and Barnes-Jewish seeing around 50 to 60, who were injured as a result of the severe weather. Three of the children’s hospital patients have been admitted, with two in critical condition, while all others have been discharged. Some of those at Barnes-Jewish were admitted but most have been discharged or will be discharged soon, the spokesperson said.
“Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said severe weather hit about 20 square blocks of the city.
“St. Louis police spokesperson Mitch McCoy said search-and-rescue operations were carried out with the help of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and surrounding county first responders.
….
“In Scott County, Sheriff Derick Wheetley said in a social media post that two people died in a “devastating tornado” there. “The tornado moved from the eastern part of the county, leaving behind a trail of destruction, with multiple homes completely lost and areas left unrecognizable,” he said.
“On Saturday, Kentucky had more than 99,000 customers in the dark according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, with a further 84,000 across Missouri.
“The vortexes were products of a fast-moving low pressure system headed east-northeast from its location over parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri, a region under tornado watch until 10 p.m.
“The cool, winter-like storm is clashing with a heat wave to the southwest, producing unstable air and eruptions of thunderstorm activity….” (NBC News. “At least 21 killed, dozens injured as suspected tornadoes hit [MO & KY].” 5-17-2025.)_
May 17, AP: “LONDON, Ky. (AP) — At least 27 people have been killed by storms systems that swept across part of the U.S. Midwest and South, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announcing Saturday that 18 of the deaths came in his state and 10 others were hospitalized in critical condition.
“A devastating tornado in Kentucky damaged homes, tossed vehicles and left many people homeless. Seventeen of the deaths were in Laurel County, located in the state’s southeast, and one was in Pulaski County: Fire Department Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran who was fatally injured while responding to the deadly weather.
“Parts of two dozen state roads were closed, and some could take days to reopen, Beshear said. He also said the death toll could still rise….
“State Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson said hundreds of homes were damaged.
….
“The latest Kentucky storms were part of a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. The system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, brought a punishing heat wave to Texas and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day.
….
“In Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected in her city.
….
“Weather service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games the same year.
“Three people needed aid after part of the Centennial Christian Church crumbled, St. Louis Fire Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press. Stacy Clark said his mother-in-law, Patricia Penelton, died in the church.
….
“A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) south of St. Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media…..” (AP. “Severe weather leaves at least 27 dead, including 18 in Kentucky.” 5-17-2025.)
May 18: “London, Ky. (AP)….Kentucky was hardest hit as a devastating tornado damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles about and left many homeless. At least 19 people were killed, most of them in southeastern Laurel County.
….
“The Kentucky storms emerged from a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. The system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, brought punishing heat to Texas and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day.
….
“The [KY] governor announced a 19th storm victim, a woman from Russell County. Of 10 people hospitalized for weather-related injuries, three remained in critical condition.
….
“In St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected….
“A tornado struck in Scott County, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) south of St. Louis, killing two people, injuring several others and destroying several homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media….” (Associated Press (Dylan Lovan and Carolyn Kaster). “Residents dig out from tornado damage after storms kill 28 in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia.” 5-18-2025.)
Sources
Associated Press (Dylan Lovan and Carolyn Kaster). “Residents dig out from tornado damage after storms kill 28 in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia.” 5-18-2025. Accessed 5-21-2025 at: https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-damage-destruction-3f7207e36dc589e9635755a1f579e926
Associated Press (Dylan Lovan). “Severe weather leaves at least 27 dead, including 18 in Kentucky.” 5-17-2025. Accessed 5-17-2025 at: https://apnews.com/article/tornado-weather-thunderstorms-great-lakes-22395202a65b0c37cc06c541ea772172
NBC News (Dennis Romero, Mirna Alsharif, Christine Rapp). “At least 21 killed, dozens injured as suspected tornadoes hit Missouri and Kentucky.” 5-16-2025, updated 5-17-2025. Accessed 5-17-2025 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/tornadoes/st-louis-tornado-storm-rcna207389