Jump to content

Tornado outbreak of May 15–16, 2025

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tornado outbreak of May 15–16, 2025
The system that caused the tornado outbreak, seen on the afternoon of May 16, 2025
Meteorological history
DurationMay 15–16, 2025
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes56
Maximum ratingEF4 tornado
Duration1 day, 5 hours, 51 minutes
Highest windsTornadic – 190 mph (310 km/h)
(Marion, Illinois EF4 on May 16)
Highest gustsNon-tornadic – 107 mph (172 km/h) at the Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri on May 16
Largest hail4.50 inches (114 mm) near La Center, Kentucky on May 16
Extratropical cyclone
Lowest pressure984 hPa (mbar); 29.06 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities27 (+4 non-tornadic)[1][2][3]
Injuries60+[4]
Areas affectedCentral United States, Ohio Valley
Power outages600,000+ customers[5]
Part of the Tornadoes of 2025

A major and deadly tornado outbreak spawned 56 tornadoes in portions of the Midwestern and Southeastern United States from May 15 to 16, 2025. Twenty-seven tornadic deaths, as well as four non-tornadic deaths, were associated with this outbreak.[6] Additionally, at least 60 injuries occurred as a result of the outbreak.[7]

On May 15, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a moderate risk of severe weather for portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, effective the following day. Several tornadoes were confirmed on the afternoon and evening of May 16, including an EF3 tornado that struck the Greater St. Louis area, killing five people.[8][9] A violent EF4 tornado also prompted the issuance of a tornado emergency for portions of Williamson and Saline counties in Illinois.[10] An EF3 tornado in Scott County, Missouri, resulted in two fatalities.[11] A strong EF2 tornado in Linton killed one person.[12] A destructive EF4 tornado also struck the cities of Somerset and London, Kentucky, killing 19 people.[13]

Meteorological synopsis

[edit]

May 15

[edit]

Forecast

[edit]
Storm Prediction Center Day 1 convective outlook on May 15 showing an enhanced risk for the Upper Midwest

On the morning of May 15, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) forecast an enhanced (3/5) risk of severe weather over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. A negatively tilted mid-level atmospheric trough was expected to move northeast across the Upper Midwest, which would cause jet streaks to move eastward over the Ozarks and northeastward over the upper Missouri River valley. Large ascent produced by the system was expected to produce a large warm sector through much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions. A surface cyclone was expected to develop over the Dakotas, anchoring a potent warm front that would move north into Wisconsin and a cold front that would move east over the middle and upper Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the cold front would be an area of moderate instability and moist air with dewpoints from the mid-60s to lower-70s Fahrenheit, with strong initial wind shear expected to support the development of supercells. Further east, around Milwaukee in southeastern Wisconsin and Chicago in northeastern Illinois, RAP model soundings anticipated moderate MLCAPE values of 2000 J/kg, shear in the lowest 6 km (3.7 mi) of the atmosphere of 35–40 knots, and mid-level lapse rates of 7.5° Celsius per kilometer, in addition to strong storm-relative helicity values of 250–300 m2/s2, which would support severe hazards if mature supercells spread over the area.[14]

The severe weather forecast was predicted to start near the surface cyclone in the upper Mississippi Valley, with individual storms expected to organize into discrete supercells as they exploited the region's conducive deep-layer shear values. This was expected to become a broken line of severe convection, which would move east-northeastward into northern Illinois and eastern Wisconsin as the day progressed. The region was expected to see supercells, some of which might bring strong downburst winds, large hail—up to 2 in (5.1 cm) in the strongest storms—and moderate to strong tornadoes. The broken line was expected to organize into a more linear storm with embedded supercells that might produce tornados and wind gusts exceeding 75 mph (121 km/h) at the leading edge of the line, and hail as the line moved into northern Indiana and Michigan's lower peninsula.[14]

Other risks of severe weather were outlined over the Ozarks region and the Mid-Atlantic. In the Ozarks, a strong upper-level jet streak and moderate instability set the conditions for hail and damaging winds, though a strong capping inversion and the lack of large ascent was expected to limit the spread of severe weather. Over the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, a moist and moderately unstable airmass would support an isolated severe threat over eastern Virginia, with the lack of atmospheric ascent compensated by the presence of surface forcing,[clarification needed] strong deep-layer shear, and steep lapse rates.[14]

Convective history

[edit]

By 4 a.m. CDT on May 15, a cluster of storms over the border region of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa developed into a bowing line segment with smaller organized cellular elements.[15] This system persisted over the next three hours into south-central Minnesota, much longer than forecasters had anticipated, but was disorganizing. Behind the system, storms were developing in southeastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska.[16] By noon CDT, the atmosphere over central Minnesota had recovered from the earlier system, which had sharply de-intensified. A dry line had developed, ahead of which a warm sector was deepening, with temperatures in the low to middle 70 °F (21 °C) range. Strong low-level winds were evident on VAD data from KMPX in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and forecasters anticipated strong forcing would support the development of organized convection, which would produce severe weather. The timing of this threat was uncertain, but shear, forcing, hodograph readings, and lapse rates in the region suggested a large risk of hail and more moderate risks of damaging winds and isolated strong tornadoes.[17]

Early in the afternoon, a broken line of supercells began moving towards the Twin Cities, with a sounding from Chanhassen revealing steep lapse rates, strong storm-relative helicity in the first kilometer of the atmosphere, and a Significant Tornado Parameter value above 2. At 1:42 p.m. CDT, forecasters said these factors could produce a corridor where moderate or strong tornados might form.[18] In the next hour, cumulus formed and deepened along the dry line into Iowa, and a sounding from Davenport revealed steep lapse rates and a long hodograph indicative of strong wind shear south of the initial threat. The development time of storms was unclear, but forecasters noted that supercells that might drop large to very large hail and a tornado could develop over a large area of eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin before 4 p.m.[19] By 3 p.m., conditions over northwestern Wisconsin had remained favorable for tornadoes, including strong ones, with surface temperatures rising above 80 °F (27 °C) and expected atmospheric conditions remaining conducive to such storms, as discrete but close supercells were moving into the region.[20] The atmosphere over central and northern Illinois was destabilizing throughout the afternoon, though the greater spread between dewpoints and surface temperatures and slight veering lower-level winds portended less severe weather than areas further north.[21] The northern line of semi-discrete supercells began to arc over central Wisconsin. Wind-velocity data from Milwaukee showed increasing low-level helicity and persistently sharp lapse rates; after 5 p.m. CDT, these would create a small area at the southern end of the line in southern Wisconsin where supercellular tornadoes were most likely.[22] The risk of tornadoes at the northern edge of the line began to wane as it approached the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Green Bay.[23] Further south across eastern Illinois, supercells remained active amid continuing destabilization and shear. The lack of forcing caused storms to miss some areas of northern Illinois.[24]

After northern parts of the line moved onto Lake Michigan and as the mesoscale convective system approached landfall onto Michigan's lower peninsula, forecasters noted that shear profiles from Grand Rapids would remain conducive to strong wind gusts and potentially tornadoes, also noting the possibility of embedded mesovortices or rear-inflow jets as inciting factors for either.[25] Throughout the late evening, the system would maintain itself through strong deep-layer shear and higher boundary-level dewpoints, with recorded wind gusts reaching 70 mph (110 km/h) occurring by 9:47 p.m. CDT.[26]

Further south over northern Arkansas, existing storms began moving into a destabilized area of the region, though forecasters noted that storms might not intensify because of the presence of substantial convective inhibition in the region.[27]

May 16

[edit]

Forecast

[edit]
Storm Prediction Center outlook issued at 1300 UTC on May 16, 2025 outlining a moderate risk for the Ohio Valley

The Storm Prediction Center outlined a moderate (4/5) risk over much of the middle Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys on May 16, with the greatest risk over southeastern Missouri, far northeastern Arkansas, northwestern Tennessee, southern Illinois and Indiana, far southwestern Ohio, and much of Kentucky. The upper-level low centered over the border of North Dakota and Minnesota was expected to move eastward into the middle Mississippi Valley. Following persisting convection from the previous day, a warm front would sweep over a large region from Missouri to the Ohio and Tennessee Valley regions. Over this region, the atmosphere was expected to sharply destabilize, with MLCAPE values exceeding 2500 J/kg, strong mid-level flow, and deep-layer shear that might exceed 50 knots expected to help develop and intensify severe weather.[28]

Severe convection the previous day had persisted into the morning in northeastern Arkansas through eastern Kentucky, which was expected to move east into a destabilizing environment in West Virginia and western Virginia that afternoon, though the longevity of this system was uncertain.

Confirmed tornadoes

[edit]
Main article: List of tornadoes in the outbreak of May 15–16, 2025
Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
1 15 24 11 3 2 0 56

St. Louis, Missouri/Granite City–Glen Carbon, Illinois

[edit]
Main article: 2025 St. Louis tornado
St. Louis, Missouri/Granite City–Glen Carbon, Illinois
Gateway Arch CCTV footage of the tornado over St. Louis
Meteorological history
FormedMay 16, 2025, 2:41 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
DissipatedMay 16, 2025, 3:05 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
Duration24 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds152 mph (245 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities5
Injuries38
Damage$1.6 billion (2025 USD)

This large, fast-moving, and deadly tornado caused significant damage to portions of the Greater St. Louis area. It first touched down at 2:41 pm CDT in Richmond Heights just east of the I-170 and I-64/US 40 interchange in St. Louis County, Missouri. The already large tornado first impacted Clayton at EF2 intensity as it moved east-northeastward, damaging apartment buildings, homes, and low-rise buildings, and snapping and uprooting trees. The tornado then caused widespread tree and power pole damage at Fontbonne University; one area of EF2 damage was noted with some power poles that were snapped. The tornado then entered the City of St. Louis, where the tornado sirens failed to sound before the tornado hit as the emergency manager who was supposed to sound them was at training session and away from her office while the back-up button at the fire department was broken and they only received one directive to sound them, but it was garbled and ambiguous.[29] The tornado continued to produce widespread tree damage as it moved into the city with the St. Louis Zoo also sustaining damage. The tornado then began to intensify quickly and reached EF2 intensity after crossing Forest Park Parkway. It heavily damaged multiple apartment buildings, damaged homes, shattered windows, and snapped and uprooted numerous trees. In the Central West End and Academy neighborhoods, more homes, churches, mid-rise buildings, traffic lights, power poles, and trees were heavily damaged. [12][30] Northeast of there, the strengthening tornado blew out the walls and windows and partially and completely removed the roofs of several businesses and brick townhouses, and caused widespread damage to trees, power poles, and traffic lights.[12] Part of the Centennial Christian Church, with three people inside, collapsed with one person later dying from their injuries.[31] Other churches had windows shattered and exterior damage as well. Two areas of low-end EF3 damage occurred on the northwest side of the tornado's path, with a strip mall being partially destroyed and a brick townhouse being flattened; the neighboring brick townhouse was damaged at EF2 intensity.[12]

Low-end EF3 damage to family residence in St. Louis.

The now nearly mile-wide tornado then moved through the northwestern part of St. Louis at EF2 intensity. Many brick townhouses and other homes collapsed or were heavily damaged, with roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down; many trees were damaged, and power poles were snapped.[12] The Harlem Tap Room bar, with 20 people inside, also collapsed, but no fatalities occurred there. This damage was likely caused by the rear flank downdraft as it was outside of the tornado's damage path.[31] The tornado peaked at mid-range EF3 intensity along North Newstand Avenue, flattening multiple brick townhouses. Another brick townhome on Marcus Avenue was also flattened at EF3 intensity, and a church nearby had its roof partially removed and its steeple knocked off.[12] Continuing east-northeastward, the tornado heavily damaged a flagpole as it crossed Route 115 before heavily damaging more brick townhouses, including some that collapsed, other homes, businesses, and churches were heavily damaged and had shattered windows, and power poles and trees were snapped.[12] The tornado then crossed I-70, damaging multiple warehouses and snapping power poles as it moved through an industrial area in a train yard before crossing the Mississippi River into Madison County, Illinois.[12]

The now smaller and weaker tornado then moved ashore west of Granite City, damaging trees as it moved east-northeastward. The tornado then crossed IL 3, and struck the northern part of the city, damaging homes and snapping and uprooting more trees. The tornado then crossed IL 203, damaging more trees, businesses, homes, and a medical center. The tornado then struck Pontoon Beach, damaging more trees and homes. The tornado then crossed IL 111 and moved into an open field before passing over the I-270 and I-255/IL 255 interchange. The tornado then moved through the northwestern part of Glen Carbon, damaging a storage facility and more trees. The tornado then crossed IL 157, causing minor damage to a home before dissipating southwest of Edwardsville just east of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus at 3:05 p.m. CDT.[12]

The tornado was on the ground for 24 minutes, had a path length of 22.77 miles (36.64 km), was 1,750 yards (1,600 m) at its largest width, and moved at an average speed of 55 mph (89 km/h).[12][32] The mayor of St. Louis confirmed that five people were killed and the tornado caused $1.6 billion in damage.[33]Ameren reported more than 100,000 customers without power in the city.[34] Additionally, 38 people were injured by the tornado.[12]

Shawan–Crowder–Blodgett, Missouri

[edit]
Shawan–Crowder–Blodgett, Missouri
A home southwest of Blodgett, Missouri, mostly leveled at mid-range EF3 intensity. One fatality was located here.
Meteorological history
FormedMay 16, 2025, 3:54 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
DissipatedMay 16, 2025, 4:15 p.m. CDT (UTC-05:00)
Duration21 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds152 mph (245 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities2
Injuries10

This narrow but intense tornado touched down over the small community of Shawan in eastern Stoddard County at 3:52 p.m. CDT and moved just south of due east along Route Y. It first caused EF0 damage to the roof of a home, which also had a tree partially fall on it, before snapping trees at EF1 intensity while also inflicting EF0 damage to an outbuilding.[12] The tornado wobbled southeastward and intensified, unroofing a one-story home along County Highway 585 at low-end EF2 strength. Afterwards, the tornado began a more erratic eastward motion as it crossed into Scott County, damaging power poles, flipping irrigation pivots, and snapping and uprooting trees at EF0-EF1 strength. The tornado then struck the community of Crowder, destroying an outbuilding, collapsing part of another, and snapping more trees.[12]

The tornado continued to flip irrigation pivots before crossing US 61, blowing down 10 new power poles high-end EF1 intensity.[12] After passing through an open field, the tornado snapped trees in a wooded area before it reached its peak intensity as it moved along Sloanville Drive southwest of Blodgett. A mobile home along this road was obliterated and swept away, with the debris left in a pile next to the foundation at low-end EF3 intensity; a home nearby was also destroyed, with most of its walls knocked down at mid-range EF3 intensity. A fatality was confirmed in both structures. EF1-EF2 damage also occurred with another mobile home and outbuildings being destroyed, other homes and mobile homes being heavily damaged with roofs partially to completely removed and exterior walls knocked down, and wooden power poles and trees being snapped. Vehicles were also damaged, and debris was strewn throughout the area.[12]

Continuing just north of due east, the tornado then moved through neighborhoods south of Blodgett and crossed I-55 at EF2 intensity. Multiple homes in this area were heavily damaged, with roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down. One home was shifted off its foundation, another had its second story completely removed, and a third collapsed. A family of four sheltered in the hallway of the third home; an elderly lady was injured, but everyone survived. A business was also destroyed, and trees were snapped or uprooted, including one tree that fell on a home. Along County Highway 524, more trees were snapped a garage door was blown in. The tornado then turned east-southeastward, removing the roof and knocking down the exterior walls of another home and destroyed a large barn at high-end EF2 intensity, killing two dogs and two horses at this location. It also caused minor damage to another home. The tornado then steadily weakened, blowing shingles off the roofs of homes, uprooting trees, and snapping tree branches before dissipating just west of the village of Diehlstadt at 4:15 p.m. CDT.[12]

The tornado was on the ground for 21 minutes and had a path length of 16.35 miles (26.31 km). At its widest, the tornado was 200 yards (180 m).[12] The tornado resulted in two fatalities and ten injuries, about 40–50 homes were heavily damaged, with 15 destroyed.[35][36][37]

Wolf Creek–Hudgens–Marion, Illinois

[edit]
Wolf Creek–Hudgens–Marion, Illinois
A two-story home south of Marion, Illinois swept away at high-end EF4 intensity.[38]
Meteorological history
FormedMay 16, 2025, 6:15 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
DissipatedMay 16, 2025, 6:32 p.m. CDT (UTC-05:00)
Duration17 minutes
EF4 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds190 mph (310 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities0
Injuries7

The storm that produced this violent, fast-moving tornado was first tornado-warned at 5:09 p.m. CDT by the National Weather Service St. Louis, Missouri while it was over Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri;[39] another tornado warning was issued two minutes for parts of Perry County, Missouri by the National Weather Service Paducah, Kentucky as it crossed over into its CWA.[40] The initial circulation then dissipated and a new one formed further to the south and progressed eastward, crossing the state line into Illinois.[41] Following the issuance of a fifth tornado warning for the cell at 6:08 p.m. CDT,[42] the tornado touched down along Grassy Road at 6:15 p.m. CDT northwest of Wolf Creek in Williamson County, initially causing mostly EF0 tree damage as it moved due east.[12] Nearing IL 148, the tornado intensified to EF1 strength, destroying an outbuilding and heavily damaging a mobile home as it crossed the highway.[12] The tornado then rapidly intensified and reached high-end EF3 intensity as it struck the USP Marion, a federal prison, where several staff housing buildings had their roofs removed and multiple exterior walls knocked down.[12][43] At this point, the tornado warning for the storm was upgraded to a particularly dangerous situation tornado warning because radar had confirmed the presence of debris being lofted by the tornado.[42]

NEXRAD radar scan of the Marion, Illinois EF4 tornado

Continuing eastward at EF3 intensity, the tornado caused heavy tree damage, including some trees that were stubbed and debarked, as it approached and crossed I-57, and snapped a large double wooden post transmission line at its base. The tornado then struck Hudgens, snapping trees and damaging several homes as it crossed IL 37, including at least one home that was leveled and at least one other one that had exterior walls knocked down.[12] The tornado then weakened to EF2 intensity as it continued eastward, heavily damaging homes and mobile homes as it crossed Market Road and Andrew Road.[12] At this time, a new tornado warning with a rare tornado emergency tag was issued for the storm when a large debris ball showed up on radar.[44]

South of Marion, the tornado abruptly intensified again and became violent, reaching its peak intensity on Kyler Court, sweeping a two-story house off its foundation and debarking and stubbing hundreds of trees behind the home. This home was nailed to its foundation rather than being anchor-bolted, but was still deemed to be well-constructed. The damage to the home and ground scouring, along with the extreme tree damage nearby led to a high-end EF4 rating with winds of 190 mph (310 km/h) being assigned to this home. The presence of intact shrubbery near the home, and absence of anchor-bolting precluded a higher rating. Another home nearby was almost completely leveled, other homes had roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down, and an outbuilding was destroyed, with numerous trees also falling on the debris from the structure.[12] The tornado then weakened somewhat but remained intense as it crossed Wards Mill Road at mid-range EF3 intensity. Two homes were leveled, with an injury occurring in the second one, other homes had roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down, outbuildings were demolished, four wooden power poles were snapped, and trees were shredded.[12]

The tornado then weakened further, but remained strong, continuing eastward at EF2 intensity through more rural and wooden areas. Most of the damage along this portion of the path was trees being snapped, although it also destroyed an outbuilding, heavily damaged a home, and snapped power poles as well.[12] The tornado reintensified to high-end EF3 strength again as it crossed IL 166, sweeping away an unanchored home, leveling a nailed-down home, and removing the roof and knocking down some exterior walls of a third home.[12] Afterwards, the tornado steadily weakened, destroying an outbuilding at EF2 intensity and then causing increasingly sporadic tree damage before lifting at 6:32 p.m. CDT. The tornado was on the ground for 17 minutes, had a path length of 16.57 miles (26.67 km), and was 900 yards (820 m) at its largest width.[12] Seven people were injured.[45] The storm would remain tornado warned for four more hours as it continued eastward, producing three additional tornadoes before weakening below severe limits over northwestern Hardin County, Kentucky.[46]

County officials instituted an overnight curfew for unsafe travel conditions. Volunteer centers, including two Red Cross shelters, opened in Marion the following day.[47]

Whittle–Somerset–Mount Victory–London, Kentucky

[edit]
Main article: 2025 Somerset–London tornado
Whittle–Somerset–Mount Victory–London, Kentucky
A photograph of the tornado in London illuminated by a lightning flash
Meteorological history
FormedMay 16, 2025, 10:27 p.m. EDT (UTC–04:00)
DissipatedMay 16, 2025, 11:56 p.m. EDT (UTC-04:00)
Duration1 hour, 29 minutes
EF4 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds170 mph (270 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities19
Injuries10
Damage$350 million (2025 USD)
(Unofficial; Laurel County only)

This large, long-tracked, and devastating tornado first touched down in Russell County northeast of Jamestown at 10:27 p.m. EDT. At the touchdown point, the tornado damaged the roof of an outbuilding as it started eastward and crossed KY 619. The tornado then shattered windows and inflicted roof and siding damage to a home before crossing Caney Creek, uprooting trees on the hillsides on both sides of the creek. The tornado then turned east-northeastward, rolling and destroying a mobile home before crossing McFarland Creek and moving into Whittle and crossing KY 1611. The tornado partially removed the roof off a home and an outbuilding as it moved east-northeastward and crossed KY 76 before rapidly intensifying to high-end EF2 intensity, significantly debarking and stubbing hardwood trees, and destroying mobile homes and a camper.[12]

The small tornado then crossed into Pulaski County and continued eastward across House Fork Creek and Wolf Creek, causing EF2 damage as it passed south of Faubush and EF1 damage south of Nancy while gradually shrinking in size. It then crossed Clifty Creek and struck a neighborhood south of KY 80 and the Lee’s Ford Marina, causing heavy EF1-EF2 roof damage to homes and snapping trees and power poles.[12][48] Two homes were destroyed, other homes and apartment building suffered heavy roof and exterior wall damage, vehicles were damaged, and trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado strengthened further to high-end EF2 intensity at the bottom of the hill as it crossed and moved east of US 27/KY 1642. It heavily damaged or partially destroyed a small shopping center, the Area Technology Center, multiple businesses, metal buildings, and a church.[48][12]

The tornado continued eastward and moved through the Daniel Boone National Forest, and northeast of the community of Mount Victory, the tornado intensified to low-end EF4 intensity for the first time. A one-story home along Poplarville Road was leveled at 170 mph (270 km/h). Several trees behind the home were extensively debarked and stubbed.[12] Elsewhere along this segment of the path swaths of trees were mowed down, debarked, and sanded into stubs, a high-tension power pole was lifted, crumpled, and thrown several hundred yards downwind, and multiple residences were destroyed. The tornado reached its peak width of just under a mile as it moved through the forest and into Laurel County.[48] The strengthening tornado then exited the forest and began impacting large residential areas south of London, first impacting a subdivision of homes along Sara Lane at high-end EF2 intensity. Several trees and power poles were snapped or uprooted and multiple homes suffered moderate to severe damage to their roofs and exterior walls.[12]

Just before crossing I-75, the tornado became violent once again and obliterated the Sunshine Hills subdivision at EF4 intensity with winds of 170 mph (270 km/h). Many homes in this area were leveled and swept away, the Sunshine Hills Baptist Church was completely swept off its foundation, vehicles were thrown and mangled beyond recognition, and trees were heavily debarked and stubbed. Most of the casualties from this tornado occurred here.[48] The tornado then crossed I-75 and continued eastward at high-end EF3 intensity, causing widespread catastrophic damage in residential neighborhoods as well as the London-Corbin Airport, where several hangars as well as aircraft, including six Beechcraft T-34 Mentors and a medical helicopter, were thrown and destroyed.[49][48][50][51] East of there, the tornado caused additional significant mid-high-end EF3 damage at Levi Jackson Park, the Laurel County Fairgrounds, Crooked Creek Golf Course, and other residential areas.[48] The tornado then abruptly weakened significantly, causing only EF0 damage as it crossed KY 80 and KY 488 before dissipating west of Lida at 11:56 pm EDT.[48]

Non-tornadic effects

[edit]

Severe weather occurred over a wide area, including strong wind gusts and large hail. One person was injured in Macon, Illinois, when a tree fell onto a house.[52] A dust storm warning was issued for Chicago, Illinois, with winds up to 70 mph (110 km/h) and near zero visibility.[53] It was deemed the worst dust storm in Chicago since 1934.[54] In Northern Virginia, two people were killed after trees fell onto their vehicles.[55] In West Chester, Pennsylvania, a flash flooding required a man to be rescued from his car.[56] Nearby, a Philadelphia Phillies game was delayed by the severe weather as well.[57]

Heat wave

[edit]

High temperature records for May 15 were broken in Chicago[58] and Houston.[59] A daily record high was also broken in Oklahoma City on May 14.[60] The high temperatures in Minnesota also led to several wildfires, which burned 32,000 acres and destroyed 150 structures.[61] Wildfires in Manitoba resulted in two deaths.[62]

Aftermath

[edit]

Recovery efforts

[edit]

The city of St. Louis and surrounding areas like Clayton declared a state of emergency, after city officials confirmed five deaths across the city from severe weather.[33] 80 volunteer structural engineers affiliated with the Missouri Structural Assessment and Visual Evaluation coalition converged in St. Louis the first week to assess the habitability of homes across the city,[63] placing stickers on structures based on their integrity. Structures marked with red stickers are unsafe to occupy, while those with yellow stickers should be entered with caution.[64] The stickers are non-binding and are meant for informative purposes only.[63] Federal aid has been requested but still pending acceptance.[65] The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dispatched two teams to St. Louis following the tornado, focusing on Greater Ville and Kingsway East. On May 21, Missouri governor Mike Kehoe announced he would be asking president Trump for federal disaster aid following the tornado.[66] Kehoe relayed that FEMA had called the amount of residential destruction in St. Louis the largest the organization had surveyed since the Joplin tornado in 2011.[67] As of May 23, 2025, federal funding has yet to been allocated for the St. Louis tornado.[68] FEMA was also dispatched to London, Kentucky to help with immediate recovery efforts.[69] Kentucky governor Andy Beshear praised the federal response to the tornado, stating "But they’ve done a good job when FEMA has come in to Kentucky, and I’m grateful".[70]

Staffing cuts controversy

[edit]
See also: NOAA under the second presidency of Donald Trump

The issuance of tornado warnings during the event, and staffing cuts as a whole at the National Weather Service in Jackon, Kentucky, were a significant source of controversy following the outbreak.[71] Due to staffing cuts caused by the Department of Government Efficiency, the three major NWS offices in Kentucky were all understaffed at the time of the tornado outbreak.[72][73][74] Despite the cuts, the Jackson office was prepared to be fully-staffed on May 16 due to the upcoming severe weather event.[75] Christian Cassell, one of the lead meteorologists at the office, stated that "we saw the risk many days ago. We were already planning how we would staff days in advance".[76]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wise, Alana; Dirks, Sandhya (May 17, 2025). "At least 27 dead after tornadoes sweep through Kentucky and Missouri". NPR. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  2. ^ El-Bawab, Nadine; Gewecke, Kenton; Moore, Jack; Volack, Jason (May 16, 2025). "Severe weather outbreak: 7 dead after storms pound Missouri; 2 dead in Virginia". ABC News. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Kelley, Rosemary (May 17, 2025). "At least 9 confirmed dead in 'mass casualty' event in Laurel County". WLEX. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  4. ^ Romero, Dennis; Alsharif, Mirna; Rapp, Christine (May 16, 2025). "At least 21 killed, dozens injured as suspected tornadoes hit Missouri and Kentucky". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Reiman, Kyle; Haworth, Jon; El-Bawab, Nadine; Stone, Alex; Baur, Brandon; Faul, Alexandra (May 17, 2025). "At least 27 dead as tornadoes, storms batter states from the Heartland to the East Coast". ABC News. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  6. ^ Wise, A. (2025a, May 17). At least 27 dead after tornadoes sweep through Kentucky and Missouri. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/17/nx-s1-5402053/tornadoes-kentucky-missouri-deaths
  7. ^ St. Louis resident describes power of tornado: “Roofs were flying around in the air.” (2025, May 17). [Video]. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/tornadoes/st-louis-tornado-storm-rcna207389
  8. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". apps.dat.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Amy Graff (May 16, 2025). "At Least 4 Dead as Tornado Strikes St. Louis, Mayor Says". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  10. ^ "PAH Tornado Warning #131". Iowa Environment Mesonet. National Weather Service Paducah, KY. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  11. ^ Ruch, Amber (May 17, 2025). "2 deaths reported in Scott County, Mo. after storms, possible tornado". KFVS. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Various National Weather Service offices (2025). "Damage Assessment Toolkit" (Interactive map and database). DAT. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  13. ^ "At least 9 confirmed dead in 'mass casualty' event in Laurel County". LEX 18 News. May 17, 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c Broyles; Lyons (May 15, 2025). "May 15, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center.
  15. ^ Dean; Bunting (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 784". Storm Prediction Center.
  16. ^ Dean; Bunting (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 785". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  17. ^ Wendt; Mosier (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 786". Storm Prediction Center.
  18. ^ Wendt (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 789". Storm Prediction Center.
  19. ^ Wendt; Mosier (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 791". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  20. ^ Wendt (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 792". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  21. ^ Wendt; Mosier (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 794". Storm Prediction Center.
  22. ^ Weinman (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 795". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  23. ^ Weinman; Gleason (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 797". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  24. ^ Weinman (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 799". Storm Prediction Center.
  25. ^ Weinman (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 800". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  26. ^ Weinman (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 801". Storm Prediction Center.
  27. ^ Squitieri; Mosier (May 15, 2025). "Mesoscale Discussion 787". Storm Prediction Center.
  28. ^ Bunting; Marsh (May 16, 2025). "May 16, 2025 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  29. ^ Walker, Mark (May 21, 2025). "Warning Sirens Were Silent Ahead of Deadly Tornado in St. Louis, City Says". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "Downed trees, power lines fill initial reports of storm damage as thousands go without power". KMOV. May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  31. ^ a b "St. Louis mayor says authorities have confirmed at least 4 deaths after severe storm damaged several buildings in city". Associated Press via Yahoo News. May 16, 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  32. ^ "Just a quick update on yesterday's tornado in St Louis. Survey teams are still out assessing the situation, but we have preliminarily determined that the tornado was at least EF-3 (140+ mph) and up to 1 mile wide at times". Twitter. NWS St. Louis. May 17, 2025. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  33. ^ a b Corey Williams; Michael Phillis; John Hanna (May 16, 2025). "At least 7 people dead and widespread damage left in the wake of severe Midwest storms". AP News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  34. ^ "Tens of thousands without power in St. Louis area". KMOV. May 16, 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  35. ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Overview of the Tornado Outbreak of May 16, 2025". www.weather.gov. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  36. ^ Mohundro, Mike (May 16, 2025). "2 dead, multiple injured, dozens of homes damaged after tornado hits Scott County, officials say". WSIL-TV. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  37. ^ "Storms leave death and destruction across Missouri, Kentucky | Baptist Press". Baptist Press. May 17, 2025. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  38. ^ "Attachment Infos (Feature ID: 4480144): Slab swept clean, Marion, IL". ArcGIS REST Services Directory. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  39. ^ "KLSX Tornado Warning #68". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service St Louis MO. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  40. ^ "KPAH Tornado Warning #123". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Paducah KY. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  41. ^ "KPAH Tornado Warning #124". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Paducah KY. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  42. ^ a b "KPAH Tornado (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Warning #129". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Paducah KY. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  43. ^ Mohundro, Mike (May 16, 2025). "Reported tornado in Williamson County leaves homes destroyed, injures three". WSIL-TV. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  44. ^ "PAH Tornado Warning #131". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Paducah, KY. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  45. ^ Wilcoxen, Brandyn (May 17, 2025). "No deaths, 7 injuries reported after EF3 tornado rips through Williamson County". Southern Illinoisan. Archived from the original on May 18, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  46. ^ "KLMK Tornado Warning #56". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Louisville KY. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  47. ^ Blanton, Charity (May 16, 2025). "Shelters open, curfew enacted, volunteers needed in Williamson County, IL". Metropolis Planet. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g "...NWS Damage Survey for May 16, 2025 Russell, Pulaski, and Laurel County Tornado Event..." Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Jackson KY. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  49. ^ "Kentucky tornado wreaked havoc at vintage aircraft fly-in".
  50. ^ "Watch: WKYT viewer captures deadly tornado on camera". WKYT. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  51. ^ "Aerials: Damage at London, KY airport; planes, medical helicopter destroyed". WLKY. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  52. ^ "Storm Prediction Center 250516's Storm Reports". www.spc.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  53. ^ Terry, Jermont (May 16, 2025). "See the moment a dust storm blanketed Chicago; "It's like something out of the history books" - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  54. ^ "May 16, 2025: Significant dust storm impacts the region". NWS Chicago, IL. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  55. ^ "2 killed by falling trees in Northern Virginia". NBC Washington. May 16, 2025. Archived from the original on May 18, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  56. ^ Hendrickson, Becca’s (May 16, 2025). "Driver Rescued from Flash Flood after Stong Storms Hit West Chester, PA". 6ABC. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  57. ^ Campbell, Dominic (May 16, 2025). "Pirates vs. Phillies Beginning in Rain Delay". MSN. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  58. ^ Tyler, Shannon; Heather, Kade (May 15, 2025). "Severe weather sweeps through Chicago area after city breaks 64-year-old temperature record". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  59. ^ Villalpando, Roberto (May 15, 2025). "Houston breaks another heat record: Thursday marks 3rd-straight day at or above 95 degrees". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  60. ^ Neubauer, Joseph (May 15, 2025). "How hot did it get during Oklahoma's record-breaking heat on Wednesday?". KOCO. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  61. ^ Ernst, Jeff; Karlamangla, Soumya (May 17, 2025). "Minnesota as a Refuge From Climate Change? Three Wildfires Show Otherwise". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  62. ^ "Canada's Wildfire Season Is Off to a Deadly Start". New York Times. May 15, 2025. Archived from the original on May 18, 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  63. ^ a b Kinsaul, Russell (May 22, 2025). "Disaster response inspectors evaluate every building damaged by tornado". Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  64. ^ Schneider, Joey (May 22, 2025). "St. Louis focused on assessing – not condemning – homes after tornado, Spencer says". KTVI. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  65. ^ Wu, Daniel (May 23, 2025). "FEMA faces backlog of emergency aid requests as hurricane season nears". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  66. ^ Davis, Chad (May 21, 2025). "FEMA begins St. Louis survey as residents reel from tornado: 'Everything's been ripped away'". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  67. ^ Barczewski, Laura (May 23, 2025). "'Largest residential destruction since Joplin tornado,' Gov. Kehoe says on 2nd visit to St. Louis". KSDK via St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  68. ^ Bassler, Hunter (May 23, 2025). "FEMA approves 2 Missouri disaster declarations, but funding varies". KSDK. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  69. ^ Valdes, Nicole (May 20, 2025). "FEMA responds to deadly Kentucky tornadoes amid layoffs, looming cuts". CBS News. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  70. ^ "Kentucky governor praises federal response to tornado, downplaying cuts at NWS". NBC News. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  71. ^ Musgrave, Beth (May 20, 2025). "What to know about how KY weather service staff shortages affected tornado alerts". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved May 31, 2025 – via MSN.
  72. ^ Musgrave, Beth (May 18, 2025). "Trump cuts to National Weather Service leave Kentucky offices understaffed". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  73. ^ Edwards, Joe (May 18, 2025). "Kentucky NWS faced staff cuts before deadly tornado hit: Reports". Newsweek. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  74. ^ Borenstein, Seth (May 20, 2025). "Staffing cuts strain National Weather Service as tornadoes pummel states". KATU. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  75. ^ Snyder, Shepherd (May 17, 2025). "Kentucky NWS office in Jackson was staffed amid severe weather, despite shortages". WKU Public Radio. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  76. ^ Dance, Scott (May 17, 2025). "How a tornado tested a Kentucky weather office that cut overnight staff". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 31, 2025 – via MSN.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tornado_outbreak_of_May_15–16,_2025&oldid=1293586936"