A slew of deadly tornadoes and storms that swept across parts of the Midwest on Friday has now taken at least 27 lives, while leaving a trail of destruction through Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and beyond. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Saturday that 18 people died in his state, 10 others were in critical condition after the storm unleashed large hail, damaging winds, and multiple tornadoes across the region. Beshear said, "We need the whole world right now to be really good neighbors to this region." At least seven people were killed in Missouri, and emergency crews were still searching building to building for survivors. Dozens more people were injured, including several in serious condition. Two deaths were also reported in northern Virginia. TheNational Weather Servicehas now confirmed that one particularly destructive tornado in Missouri was a powerful EF3, with winds of 150 mph. That tornado touched down in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, and moved rapidly toward the north side of the city.Initial estimatessay the path is at least 8 miles long so far and the NWS says it likely continued much further into Illinois. More than 5,000 buildings in Clayton sustained damage, say officials. One woman was killed as the roof collapsed at Centennial Christian Church. City of St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan toldThe Associated Pressthat two other people had to be rescued after part of the church crumbled. As the tornado crossed the Mississippi River just north of downtown, reports of major damage poured in, including a building with its roof torn off and trees uprooted and blocking roads. Emergency officials reported at least one building struck by debris, shattered windows, and numerous injuries, while videos posted to social media showed trees littering the streets and vehicles covered by fallen branches. In Laurel County, Kentucky, emergency responders confirm at least 17 people were killed by a tornado that "pummeled" the area. Seven Kentucky counties declared states of emergency. Just two months ago, two dozen people died in Kentucky as a storm system overwhelmed creeks and swamped roads. Significant damage was also reported in Sullivan, Indiana, and Marion, Illinois. Strong wind damage occurred across the Washington, D.C. metro area. The storm threat is not over. Severe weather is expected to continue across several states. Senior meteorologistJonathan Erdmanexplains that this was just one phase of a prolonged event: "Today's storms in the mid-Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley make up just one chapter of a dangerous multi-day severe weather saga that will begin to shift its emphasis to the Central and Southern Plains this weekend and last at least through Tuesday." For more on that forecast, clickhere.
