Severe storms sweep through Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia: See photos of damage
Deaths have been reported in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia, and thousands of buildings were destroyed.
At least 30 people in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia were are dead after severe storms swept through the region.
Officials in Kentucky confirmed that 18 people are dead due to the storms, with at least five other deaths suspected. Seven deaths were also reported in Missouri, and two were reported in Virginia, according to Paste BN's previous reporting.
Around 5,000 buildings were destroyed in St. Louis alone, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said in a post on X.
Buildings and cars were destroyed, homes are missing entire walls and upper levels of houses and buildings are gone, photos of the disaster show. Tornadoes also downed trees and power lines.
As of the morning of May 18, nearly 194,500 customers across Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama and Arkansas have been left without power after the barrage of severe weather hit the country, according to Paste BN's power outage tracker.
Photos show damage after storms tear through Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Zac Anderson; Paste BN
Julia is a trending reporter for Paste BN. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com