Tornades give at least 20 dead in the south of the country – Liberation
Treated trees, devastated cities, dead and wounded. It is the heavy assessment drawn up this Saturday, May 17, when the day rises in the United States, after a particularly temperate night. Violent bad weather sweeping the Midwest and the southern United States left at least 20 dead, according to a first count of the authorities. The emergency services continue to clear the rubble, looking for survivors.
In Kentucky, at least 14 people died in Friday evening storms, announced on His X account The Governor of the State, Andy Beshear. “Kentucky, we are starting today with a hard news: at least 14 people have lost their lives in last night storms. Unfortunately, this number should increase as we will receive more information ”, he wrote. A tornado, which ravaged an area largely rural, has spread to the city of London (still in Kentucky, not the European capital).
« Lives have been upset forever tonight », said the city mayor, Randall Weddle, to the American media. “I have never personally experienced what I saw tonight. Devastation is immense ”, he added, living in a state Yet customary of devastating storms and impressive tornadoes. The number of injured is not yet known.
Several American media such as the Associated Press also report seven deaths in the neighboring state of the Missouri, including several in the big city of Saint-Louis. The councilor, Cara Spencer, confirmed that five people had died in his city, and said that more than 5,000 houses had been affected by the storm. “Our city is in mourning tonight. Local losses and destruction are truly appalling ”said the mayor, adding that the city was declaring the state of emergency and that a nightcare ride was set up on Friday in the most affected neighborhoods.
These bad weather has also caused tornadoes in Wisconsin, left several hundred thousand without electricity in the Great Lakes region and caused a strong heat wave in Texas. Trees torn off by the force of the wind and the signaling lights that have fallen to the ground also caused traffic jams on Friday afternoon in the states concerned. The authorities have urged the inhabitants to stay at home.
The American National Meteorological Service (NSW), said on Friday that « Many extreme weather conditions » were expected « On the third party is the country this afternoon, with alerts and warnings of violent thunderstorms and tornadoes. »
These extreme bad weather is now moving in the south of the country. The NSW storm forecasting center said this Saturday that « Violent storms producing hail from large to very large size, gusts of devastating wind and some tornadoes are expected in the southern plains ». With a particularly high risk in northern Texas.
In 2024, the accidents caused by tornadoes killed 54 people in the United States, according to the American ocean and atmospheric observation agency (NOAA).
