Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, May 18: At least 21 people have died after suspected tornadoes and severe weather swept across parts of the U.S. Midwest and South, with the hardest-hit states being Kentucky and Missouri, officials confirmed on Saturday.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that 14 people have been confirmed dead in his state alone, calling it a devastating start to the weekend.

“We’re starting today with the tough news that we lost at least 14 of our people to last night’s storms,” Beshear posted on X (formerly Twitter), warning that the toll is expected to rise as more reports come in.

In Laurel County, southeastern Kentucky, Sheriff John Root described the situation as a “mass casualty event.”

Meanwhile, NBC News reported that five deaths occurred in St. Louis and two more in Scott County, southeastern Missouri. Local authorities estimate that more than 5,000 homes may have been damaged or destroyed in the outbreak of Friday afternoon storms.

The National Weather Service reported widespread thunderstorms across the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys, with at least six tornadoes confirmed in Missouri, Illinois, and as far east as New Jersey.

In Virginia, two individuals were killed in Fairfax County when trees toppled onto their vehicles due to high winds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) notes the U.S. experiences around 1,200 tornadoes annually, with spring and early summer being peak periods.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated she had spoken with the governors of affected states and offered federal support. “While emergency management is best led by local authorities, the Department of Homeland Security stands ready to offer resources and support,” she said on social media.

Noem has previously advocated for a shift in federal disaster strategy that emphasizes state-level management, a stance reflected in former President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, which includes significant cuts to FEMA, the federal disaster response agency under Homeland Security.