Deadly Storms Leave Trail of Destruction Across Multiple States With 18 Dead, Widespread Damage, and Massive Power Outages

At least a dozen people dead across several states as storms take hold of America's Heartland

At least 18 people have been killed across three states as a massive outbreak of severe weather continues to wreak havoc from the Heartland to the East Coast. The deadly storms have left nine dead in Kentucky, seven in Missouri, and two in Virginia as of Saturday morning.

The powerful storm system has triggered over 500 reports of severe weather stretching from Texas to New Jersey since Friday. At least 600,000 residents are now without power across a wide swath of the country, with outages reported from Michigan down to Tennessee.

Extensive damage in the Sunshine Hills area of Laurel County, Kentucky, in the early hours of Saturday, following a possible tornado

Tornado activity remains a major threat, with 26 tornadoes confirmed so far across Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, and even one in New Jersey. Severe storms have persisted into Saturday morning, intensifying already dangerous conditions.

Hail has caused widespread destruction, with reports of softball-sized hail in Barlow, Kentucky, and near Sullivan, Indiana. In several areas from Texas to Ohio, hailstones larger than tennis balls have been documented. Wind damage, toppled trees, and structural destruction have also been reported.

A person walks past a large tree blocking a road after a severe storm moved through in St. Louis, on Friday

In total, storm damage has been confirmed in 15 states from Missouri to Michigan and eastward to New Jersey. The storm system is moving eastward, continuing to threaten areas from Arkansas through Virginia.

Currently, a severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for parts of southeastern Arkansas, north-central Alabama, and central Mississippi until 10 a.m. CT. Another watch is active until 12 p.m. ET for parts of northern South Carolina, west-central North Carolina, and southern Virginia.

A house lies collapsed under a mountain of bricks, after a tornado struck in St. Louis, on Friday

Storm-related incidents early Saturday have already included reports of quarter-sized hail, downed trees, and roof damage. These hazardous conditions are expected to persist through the late morning.

In the Northeast, the highest risk for severe weather includes parts of upstate New York, western Massachusetts, most of Vermont, and western New Hampshire. Cities such as Burlington, Vermont; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Albany, New York are bracing for damaging winds, large hail, and possible isolated tornadoes.

Meanwhile, the South-Central Plains face significant threats, particularly central Texas, including the Dallas and Arlington areas. A broader but less intense threat zone spans across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, affecting cities such as Oklahoma City, Little Rock, and Wichita.

Emergency response teams are monitoring the rapidly evolving weather conditions as the widespread storm system continues to endanger lives, damage infrastructure, and disrupt power across much of the United States.