Powerful storms and tornadoes swept through multiple states in the central United States overnight, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction. Authorities reported at least 21 fatalities, with numbers expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

In Kentucky, state officials confirmed a minimum of 14 storm-related deaths, with nine occurring in Laurel County following a late-night tornado that caused catastrophic damage. Local emergency services described the event as a “mass casualty incident,” with survivors still being sought amid collapsed structures and severe injuries. Aerial footage revealed neighborhoods reduced to rubble, vehicles destroyed, and debris scattered across affected areas.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, at least seven lives were lost as a tornado tore through St. Louis and surrounding regions. The storm damaged thousands of properties, uprooted trees, and disrupted power lines during peak travel hours. A newly inaugurated mayor expressed grief over the devastation, emphasizing the community’s resilience. Residents recounted harrowing escapes, with one describing how their home was ripped open by the force of the winds.

Hospitals in the region reported treating dozens of injured individuals, including children, as emergency teams worked to secure impacted zones. To ensure public safety, temporary curfews were enforced in heavily damaged districts to prevent looting and protect residents from hazardous debris.

The National Weather Service noted that the severe weather system affected multiple regions, spawning tornadoes across the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and stretching as far as the East Coast. Over 300,000 households remained without power Saturday morning, with outages concentrated in Missouri, Kentucky, and Michigan as the storm system moved northeast.

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