Tornado Outbreak Kills 23, Wrecks Midwest and South

A deadly outbreak of severe storms and tornadoes struck the Midwest and South from May 16 to 17, resulting in at least 23 deaths across Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia, with the toll expected to rise. Kentucky was especially impacted, notably in Laurel County, while Missouri reported at least seven fatalities, including five in St. Louis, where thousands of homes were damaged and a curfew was enacted. Virginia also sustained fatalities and significant damage, prompting responses from state officials. The storms caused widespread destruction, flipping vehicles, leveling buildings, and leaving over 700,000 customers without power across 15 states from Michigan to Tennessee. Emergency shelters have been set up in the worst-hit areas, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. The National Weather Service confirmed at least 26 tornadoes, and further severe weather—including large hail and additional tornadoes—is forecast for regions such as North Texas.