At least 28 dead as tornadoes and thunderstorms strike three states

At least 28 people have died in severe weather that swept from the lower Midwest to the South over the weekend, with Missouri and Kentucky suffering the worst of it, authorities said.

At least 28 people have died in severe weather that swept from the lower Midwest to the South over the weekend, with Missouri and Kentucky suffering the worst of it, authorities said.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Sunday afternoon that weather-related deaths in the state had risen to 19 after the death of a female from Russell County.

Earlier, Beshear attributed the deaths to a single tornado initially believed to have touched down at EF3 strength overnight.

“We are hard at work this morning addressing the tragic damage and deaths caused by severe weather Saturday morning,” Beshear said Sunday morning on X. “We are securing emergency housing options and looking into sites for intermediate housing.”

Of the remaining deaths, 17 were in Laurel County and one was in Pulaski County. One of the deceased was a Laurel County firefighter, Beshear said.