The National Weather Service in Paducah has confirmed that at least nine tornadoes touched down across the western Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri region Friday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service said a “multitude of hazardous weather” would impact the U.S. over the next several days — from thunderstorms and potentially baseball-sized hail on the Plains, to heavy mountain snow in the West and dangerous heat in the South.

Following DOGE-led staffing cuts to weather forecasters in Kentucky, a deadly tornado struck, raising questions about the government's cost-saving measures.

A preliminary survey by National Weather Service Jackson suggests an EF-3 tornado struck Laurel County late Friday.

Nine tornadoes struck Missouri and Kentucky on May 16, including a deadly EF3 in Scott County that killed two people and destroyed homes. The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes up to EF4 strength.

A violent, tornado-spawning storm system tore across the central US, leaving at least 25 people dead in Missouri and southeastern Kentucky as it cut a path of destruction through several states.

Debra Edelman, 93, was a prominent member of the Richmond community, founding a recycling business and becoming a philanthropist later in life.

A powerful nighttime tornado tore through Laurel County, Kentucky , leaving behind widespread destruction with homes leveled and vehicles The twister was believed to be at least an EF3 with winds over 136 mph.