More than two dozen people were killed and dozens more injured as powerful tornadoes and severe storms ripped across Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and even parts of the Washington, D.C., metro area.

The damage and destruction left behind after a powerful tornado touched down in Laurel, Kentucky is devastating. The tornado ripped through Friday evening and killed at least 17 people, completely destroying homes and businesses in its path. As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but debris. The Weather Channel’s Jordan Steele is on the ground in Kentucky to give us a first hand look at the damage.

New video gives a stunning, up close look at the damage and destruction caused by a deadly EF3 tornado that raced through St. Louis, Missouri. You’ll see why a curfew was issued over the weekend and why Mayor Cara Spencer said her heart aches for her city.

Mid-May is living up to its reputation for severe weather as an active weather pattern brings the threat of strong tornadoes, damaging hail and intense, destructive wind gusts over multiple days.

Track the severe thunderstorm outbreak here using our maps.