Tornadoes that swept through Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia killed more than two dozen people, destroyed homes and left thousands without power as residents began clearing widespread storm damage.

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.

Severe Weather in the U.S. Advertisement Supported by In Missouri and Kentucky alone, tornadoes killed at least 25 people, officials said. The spring storm season has been a brutal one for the region.

Additionally, there was no evidence that tornado sirens in the area had been deactivated by the Trump administration's budget cuts — if there was, the people affected by the storm certainly would have noted that fact in interviews.

Recent tornadoes have claimed the lives of at least 28 people. In response, Operation Blessing and Mercy Chefs deployed teams to the hardest-hit area of London, Kentucky.

I’d be surprised if we didn’t see some tornadoes,” one meteorologist said. More than 300,000 are still without power after storms Thursday night.

An incredibly dangerous day of severe thunderstorms including the potential for long-lasting, powerful tornadoes and hurricane-strength wind gusts is underway in the eastern half of the United States.