LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Residents in Kentucky and Missouri sifted through damage in tornado-stricken neighborhoods and cleared debris Sunday after severe storms swept through parts of the Midwest and South and killed more than two dozen people.

Kentucky and Missouri declare states of emergency after deadly tornadoes Two killed in Virginia during bout of severe thunderstorms St. Louis tornado kills 5, injures 38, damages 5,000 properties Federal resources offered to affected states by Homeland Security secretary May 17 (Reuters) - An unstable spring weather system spawned tornadoes overnight in the U.

At least nine people were killed after a tornado hit southeastern Kentucky, while another seven died in Missouri.

Survey teams were still working to assess damage into the evening Sunday, but officials said they have already documented severe damage near and west of the London-Corbin Airport.

The Jackson, Kentucky office is one of a growing number of forecast offices unable to cover an overnight shift since the Trump administration cut staffing levels through buyouts and firings.

Due to staffing shortages, the National Weather Service in Jackson no longer has overnight staff. But NWS and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear say the office was staffed Friday night and early Saturday.

Laurel County took the biggest hit in Kentucky from a violent tornado that spanned several cities on Friday. Of Kentucky's reported 18 deaths (as of Saturday night), 17 of those were in the London, Kentucky area.

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.