Washington, May 17 (EFE).\u2013 A devastating tornado system triggered by a powerful storm has left at least 21 people dead across central US states, with fatalities reported in Kentucky and Missouri, authorities said on Saturday.<\/p>
The storm system initially swept through the Midwest and Great Lakes region before moving south, spawning tornadoes in Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana.<\/p>
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency.<\/p>
\u201cWe\u2019re starting today with the tough news that we lost at least 14 of our people to last night\u2019s storms, but sadly, this number is expected to grow as we receive more information. Please pray for all of our affected families,\u201d Beshear wrote on X.<\/p>
\u201cThe devastation from last night\u2019s deadly weather is heartbreaking, but we are going to make sure we get the support needed to recover and rebuild together.\u201d<\/p>
In Missouri, at least seven people were killed after a violent tornado struck the St. Louis area.<\/p>
\u201cThe loss of life and destruction St. Louis has experienced in today\u2019s storm is horrendous, and my thoughts are with everyone whose lives were altered today,\u201d said St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer.<\/p>
\u201cPlease stay home tonight and allow our first responders to do their work. And please keep St. Louis in your thoughts and prayers.\u201d<\/p>
The storms knocked down power lines and critical infrastructure, leaving more than 700,000 homes and businesses without electricity across a dozen states, according to tracking site Poweroutage. EFE er-sk<\/p>
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