Storm death toll up to 27; includes 18 in Kentucky, 5 in St. Louis

Storms that swept across part of the Midwest and South killed least 27 people including 18 in Kentucky, where another 10 were hospitalized in critical condition.

Seventeen of the deaths were in Laurel County in the state’s southeast. In Pulaski County a 39-year veteran firefighter was fatally injured while responding to the deadly weather.

Parts of two dozen state roads were closed, and some could take days to reopen. Hundreds of homes were damaged.

The storm was the latest severe weather to cause deaths and widespread damage in Kentucky. Two months ago at least 24 people died in a round of storms that swelled creeks and submerged roads.

In St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected. An overnight curfew was to continue in the most damaged neighborhoods.

Weather service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, in the area of Forest Park, which is home to the St. Louis Zoo and formerly hosted both the 1904 World’s Fair and the Olympic Games.

Three people needed aid after part of the Centennial Christian Church crumbled. At the zoo, falling trees severely damaged the roof of a butterfly facility. Staffers quickly corralled most of the butterflies, the zoo said on social media, and a conservatory in suburban Chesterfield was caring for the displaced creatures.



A resident climbs over a home destroyed in Longon, KY during Friday's tornado. (AP Photo Timothy D. Easley)