At Least 14 Dead After Tornadoes Devastate Kentucky

MR. NEWS TORNATO PHOTOS

At Least 14 Dead After Tornadoes Devastate Kentucky

A powerful outbreak of tornadoes and severe storms tore through Kentucky late Friday night, leaving at least 14 people dead and dozens more injured as rescue crews continue searching for survivors in devastated communities.

Towns Hardest Hit: London and Somerset

The most severe destruction occurred in southeastern Kentucky, particularly in Laurel County, where a tornado touched down just before midnight near the London Corbin Airport. The storm ripped through two neighborhoods, flattening homes and leaving vehicles mangled amid piles of debris. Local officials confirmed that nine people died in London alone, with numerous others suffering severe injuries.

Somerset, just west of London, also sustained significant damage. The mayor of Somerset declared a state of emergency, describing the night as “really scary” and noting that while the tornado devastated the city’s business corridor, it narrowly missed hundreds of nearby homes.

Statewide Emergency Response

Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the statewide death toll stood at 14 as of Saturday morning, warning that the number could rise as emergency teams comb through the wreckage. “Please pray for all of our affected families,” Beshear urged, as the state remains in an active rescue phase with five counties under states of emergency.

Emergency responders are still searching destroyed homes and buildings, and the full extent of the damage is not yet known. More than 100,000 Kentuckians remain without power, and the destruction has complicated rescue and recovery efforts.

Personal Accounts and Ongoing Search

Residents described terrifying moments as the tornado approached. Leslie, a London resident, recounted sheltering with her family in a hallway as the storm hit: “You could feel the air sucking in, and it sounded like a train. Then we saw stuff falling, and next thing you knew, most of the house was gone.”.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from the hardest-hit areas to allow emergency crews to continue their search and rescue operations.

Wider Impact and Continued Threat

The tornado outbreak was part of a larger system that also caused fatalities and widespread damage in Missouri, where at least seven people were killed, including five in the St. Louis area. The storms have left hundreds of thousands without electricity across multiple states, and additional severe weather remains possible as the system moves eastward.

Looking Ahead

Governor Beshear plans to visit London to survey the damage, while officials warn that the risk of further severe weather persists into the coming days. The focus remains on life-saving efforts and supporting families who have lost loved ones or homes in one of the deadliest tornado events to strike Kentucky in recent years.