Nearly 30 Dead After Tornadoes Rip Across Midwest, Devastating Missouri, Kentucky

A slew of deadly tornadoes and storms that swept across parts of the Midwest on Friday has now taken at least 28 lives, while leaving a trail of destruction through Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and beyond.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Sunday that 19 people died in his state and 10 others were in critical condition after the storm unleashed large hail, damaging winds and multiple tornadoes across the region.

Said Beshear: "We need the whole world right now to be really good neighbors to this region."

London, Kentucky, mayor Randall Weddle took an aerial tour of the damage in his town on Saturday, sharing stunning pictures on social media that showed the tornado's path there. He thanked first responders for their "tireless work" searching for the injured on Saturday. He also thanked volunteers who quickly started cleanup efforts.

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.

The National Weather Service 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 estimates found the path was at least 8 miles long, and the NWS says it likely continued much farther into Illinois. More than 5,000 buildings in Clayton sustained damage, officials said.

One woman was killed when the roof collapsed at Centennial Christian Church. City of St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press that 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.

A man sits in a chair while other people walk around tornado damage

In Laurel County, Kentucky, emergency responders confirmed 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.