Midwest Storms Kill 21 in Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois

Severe storms and tornadoes swept across Kentucky and Missouri, killing at least 21 people, including 14 in Kentucky and seven in Missouri, with the death toll expected to rise. The tornadoes caused extensive damage in southeastern Kentucky, particularly Laurel County, where homes were destroyed, vehicles overturned, and emergency responders continue searching for survivors. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency as communities grapple with the aftermath, with local shelters set up and donations pouring in. In Missouri, the city of St. Louis was severely impacted, with five confirmed deaths, thousands of damaged homes, and curfews imposed to prevent looting and injuries from debris. Hospitals in St. Louis treated dozens of storm-related injuries, some serious, while city officials expressed deep grief over the devastation. The storms are part of a larger system that also affected Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region, causing widespread power outages and extreme weather conditions.