At least 18 people died in Kentucky, nearly 200,000 times left after the weekend storm
The state will investigate emergency housing options after Kentucky has died in storms and bad weather.
“This morning, we are working to address the tragic damage and deaths of Saturday morning's harsh damage and deaths,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote in an article on social media site X.
On May 16, Beshear declared a state of emergency due to the state's weather system.
All 18 killed were adults, ranging in age from 25 to 74, according to a press release from the Kentucky Governor’s Office. The age of some victims has not been disclosed, and only a few have been publicly named. At least five other people were suspected to have died.
Most of the victims live in Laurel County, but one person (a woman of undisclosed age) lives in Pulaski County, about 133 miles southeast of Louisville, Kentucky. Laurel County is about 150 miles southeast of Louisville.
According to previous reports from USA Today, seven people died in Missouri, while two people died in Virginia.
The United States has contacted the Kentucky Governor’s Office for more information today.
Electricity returns to most parts of Kentucky after the storm: see map
According to Beshear, on May 17, more than 69,000 people had no power. However, after the storm, the number jumped to over 172,000.
According to USA Today, the figure has been reduced to 26,517 as of May 18.
According to USA Today, as of 10:30 a.m. ET, five states, including Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama and Arkansas, reportedly had about 194,455 blackouts.
Other states affected by bad weather
The bad weather has not been quarantined to Kentucky.
There are also preliminary reports on tornadoes in the following states:
A tornado ripped apart on May 17, 2025 near Saddle Road, London.
Contributions: Zac Anderson Jeanine Santucci; USA Today
Julia is a popular reporter for USA Today. Contact her LinkedIn,,,,, x,,,,, Instagram and Tiktok: @juliamariegz, or email her via jgomez@gannett.com.
(This is a development story and will be updated.)
This article was initially seen after 18 people died in USA Today: Kentucky, hit by severe storms in Kentucky
