Kentucky students help with recovery efforts in wake of deadly tornado outbreak in America’s heartland
At least 19 people were killed in Kentucky, and at least seven others were killed in Missouri after a deadly tornado outbreak on Friday.
St. Louis tornado survivors recall Friday's deadly twister
Residents of St. Louis are still trying to determine the toll taken on the city by a tornado that hit Friday. FOX Weather's Robert Ray reports.
LONDON, Ky. – High school students in Kentucky are among the countless first responders and citizens who have stepped up to help with recovery efforts in the wake of a tornado outbreak in America's heartland that left dozens of people dead over the weekend.
Kentucky suffered widespread damage, especially in London and Somerset. Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 19 people were killed in his state, although Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers believes that number could be closer to two dozen.
![Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 30Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 30People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 30A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 30Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 30Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 30Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 30TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky.]()
Image 8 of 30Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky. (@jsmithwx)
![Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.]()
Image 9 of 30Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. ( )
![Aerial footage of tornado damage in St. Louis]()
Image 10 of 30Aerial footage of tornado damage in St. Louis ( )
![Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.]()
Image 11 of 30Tornado-damaged Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. (Katie Byrne)
![Drone footage of Centennial Christian Church after the tornado.]()
Image 12 of 30Drone footage of Centennial Christian Church after the tornado. (Katie Byrne)
![Bricks and debris in front of Centennial Christian Church.]()
Image 13 of 30Bricks and debris in front of Centennial Christian Church. (Katie Byrne)
![Pulaski County (Kentucky) tornado damage]()
Image 14 of 30Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. (Somerset Pulaski County Special Response)
![Pulaski County (Kentucky) tornado damage]()
Image 15 of 30Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. (Somerset Pulaski County Special Response)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 16 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 17 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 18 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 19 of 30Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 20 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 21 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 22 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025.]()
Image 23 of 30An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025. (Sean Malone/KMOX News)
![An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025.]()
Image 24 of 30An ominous cloud formation is seen in the St. Louis metro as a tornado-warned storm moved through the city May 16, 2025. (Sean Malone/KMOX News)
![A tornado moves across parts of Missouri on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 25 of 30A tornado moves across parts of Missouri on May 16, 2025. (Brandon Copic)
![An uprooted tree is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 26 of 30An uprooted tree is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025. (timconttreras25/X)
![Storm damage is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 27 of 30Storm damage is seen in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis, on May 16, 2025. (timconttreras25/X)
![Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025.]()
Image 28 of 30Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025. (Aishah French)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 29 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 30 of 30Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
Beshear is no stranger to deadly disasters slamming the state. Back in early April, several people were killed and hundreds were displaced after historic flooding.
"We have lost 19 people to this weather event, each one a child of God who will be missed by their families," Beshear said in a post on X. "Please keep praying for them, the 10 individuals being treated at UK Hospital, and for everyone affected by these storms."
Beshear said Kentucky Division of Emergency Management teams are continuing to conduct damage assessments, with those efforts continuing on Monday and "in the days ahead."
"Kentuckians are strong," he continued. "We will make it through this, and we'll make it through this together."
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High school students step up to help devastated community
Kentucky high school students step up to help with recovery effort in wake of London tornado
Survivors of a powerful tornado that ripped through the community of London in Kentucky are continuing to look through piles of debris, and local students are stepping up to help. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with student Ashton Eldridge who said he and his friends will stay in the area to help however they can.
Laurel County Public Schools announced they would remain closed on Monday after the deadly tornadoes that swept across Kentucky over the weekend, and students are stepping up to help with recovery efforts.
Ashton Eldridge spoke with FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne in London, and he said it "hurts" to see the community in its current state.
LONDON, KENTUCKY, TORNADO SURVIVORS PILED INTO BATHTUBS, EMERGED TO FIND EVERYTHING GONE
Watch: Tornado illuminated by lightning, power flashes in Kentucky
Video from Friday night in Somerset, shows a tornado being lit up in the night sky by lightning and power flashes. At least 14 people have died in Kentucky from Friday's severe weather.
"I’ve had a couple of teachers of mine that have lost their homes," he said. "You know? It just hurts seeing that. People that you know and you’ve been around your whole life, and see what can happen to them overnight."
Eldridge said he spoke with one of his teachers, who took shelter in a bathtub while the tornado roared overhead.
"As soon as it was over, everything just disappeared," he said. "Her husband had to go to the hospital. They found him under everything with his son."
‘Complete and total devastation’
Man with cross walks through Kentucky town decimated by tornado: ‘Complete and total devastation’
Cleanup and recovery operations are ongoing in the community of London, Kentucky, after deadly tornadoes swept across the region over the weekend. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with a man walking through the piles of rubble while carrying a cross who described the scene as
Just as local high school students are helping their community recover, people from across the U.S. are arriving to also offer assistance.
Byrne was reporting live in London on Monday morning when she came across a man carrying a cross while walking down the street.
He said he was from Michigan and just wanted to lift up survivors in prayer and let them know God is with them.
‘IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF’: TORNADO LEAVES TRAIL OF DEVASTATION IN KENTUCKY
Deadly tornado leaves trail of damage in London, Kentucky
A tornado that swept through London, Kentucky Friday night left multiple people dead and a wide swath of significant damage.
"I’m from Michigan and I just got here literally five minutes ago," he told Byrne. "I saw some families out that are going through some of their stuff. I know because it’s early, I’m sure that there will be more out here. So, we’ll be able to pray with a lot of families."
He described the scene as "complete and total devastation," much like the scene after a powerful and deadly tornado struck the community of Mayfield, Kentucky, in 2021.
"It’s very similar," he said. "The destruction is just incredible, and it’s going to take a long time. They have to have a lot of faith to know that (homes) can be rebuilt."
Deadly Missouri tornado rated EF-3
Powerful winds send trees, debris down St. Louis street
Footage shot on Friday afternoon shows powerful winds in St. Louis, Missouri, hurling brush and debris down Pershing Avenue.
At least seven people were killed in Missouri when the severe weather and tornadoes swept across the state, including in the St. Louis area.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that slammed St. Louis has a preliminary rating of EF-3, with winds estimated to be about 150 mph. In addition, the twister was up to a mile wide at some points when it was carving out its path of deadly destruction.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said at least five storm-related fatalities have been confirmed in her city. She also implemented a city-wide curfew because over 5,000 homes were affected by the storms.
Much of the damage in the St. Louis area seems to have happened in the University City area.
WOMAN KILLED AFTER CHURCH ROOF COLLAPSES DURING TORNADO STRIKE IN ST. LOUIS
Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025.
(Aishah French / FOX Weather)
FOX News Multimedia Reporter Olivianna Calmes found damage in Clayton, just south of University City. She said she has seen several trees damaged, and some trees have fallen on cars in the area.
"The skies turned green," Rachel, a resident of Clayton, told Calmes. "The winds started whipping. Then, it fell silent, and then you heard what sounded like a train, and everything started falling.
In Scott County, located about two hours south of St. Louis, the sheriff reported at least two storm-related deaths and multiple injuries.