Kentucky volunteers, first responders continue nonstop recovery efforts in wake of deadly tornadoes
More powerful storms could impact areas of Kentucky on Tuesday, just as communities continue to recover in the wake of deadly tornadoes last week.
Severe weather threatens areas of Kentucky still reeling in wake of deadly tornado outbreak
Severe weather is once again threatening parts of Kentucky that were hit hard by a deadly tornado outbreak last week. FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres was in London with the latest on recovery efforts on May 20, 2025.
Fast Facts:
- At least 19 people were killed when severe weather and tornadoes struck Kentucky.
- First responders, the military and volunteers have descended upon devastated communities to help with recovery efforts.
- More severe weather is expected in hard-hit areas Tuesday, with damaging winds and tornadoes possible.
LONDON, Ky. – Hearts are heavy across Kentucky in the wake of deadly tornadoes that slammed the state last week. Despite that, first responders and volunteers, some of whom are high school students, continue recovery efforts to rebuild communities that were leveled by the storms.
The danger isn’t over, however. More severe weather is expected to impact the same devastated areas Tuesday.
![Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado.]()
Image 1 of 37Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
![A wide photo shows the extensive damage in London, Kentucky following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado.]()
Image 2 of 37A wide photo shows the extensive damage in London, Kentucky following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
![Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado.]()
Image 3 of 37Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
![Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado.]()
Image 4 of 37Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
![Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado.]()
Image 5 of 37Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
![LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Debris floats in a pool near a severely damaged house on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills just after midnight on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky.]()
Image 6 of 37LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Debris floats in a pool near a severely damaged house on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills just after midnight on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. (Michael Swensen)
![LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Sarah, a volunteer from Knoxville, Tennessee, puts an American flag up on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills just after midnight on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 37LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 18: Sarah, a volunteer from Knoxville, Tennessee, puts an American flag up on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills just after midnight on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )
![LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Mark Sexton kisses his daughters dog after it was pulled out of the debris of his parent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)]()
Image 8 of 37LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Mark Sexton kisses his daughters dog after it was pulled out of the debris of his parent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )
![LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Payson Sexton, 13, is reunited with her dog after it was trapped in her grandparent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)]()
Image 9 of 37LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Payson Sexton, 13, is reunited with her dog after it was trapped in her grandparent's house following the tornado that struck the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )
![LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Members from a local church pray with Tony and Joe McFall, who lost their father and step-mother during the tornado in the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images)]()
Image 10 of 37LONDON, KENTUCKY - MAY 17: Members from a local church pray with Tony and Joe McFall, who lost their father and step-mother during the tornado in the neighborhood of Sunshine Hills on May 17, 2025 in London, Kentucky. A tornado struck communities in Somerset and London, Kentucky, leaving over 10 dead and more injured. (Photo by Michael Swensen/Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 11 of 37Debris is seen on a damaged car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 12 of 37A US flag is seen on a destroyed car after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 13 of 37People clear debris after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 14 of 37Debris is strewn around and on top of trees after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 15 of 37Debris is seen around and on the trunk of a tree after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 16 of 37Debris and damaged homes are seen after a tornado hit in London, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. Severe storms that swept through the US states of Missouri, Kentucky and Virginia left more than 25 people dead, laying waste to local communities and cutting off electricity to nearly 200,000, authorities said on May 17. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on X at least 18 people had died in the storms Friday night, while local officials in Missouri said another seven were dead there. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 17 of 37TOPSHOT - A woman inspects damage from a tornado in London, Kentucky, on May 17, 2025. More than 20 people have died after severe storms swept through the southern US states of Missouri and Kentucky, officials and local media reports said May 17, 2025. Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said on X that at least 14 people had died in Friday night's storms. At least seven people were killed in Missouri, the Washington Post reported. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky.]()
Image 18 of 37Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky. (@jsmithwx)
![Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky.]()
Image 19 of 37Tornado damage in Laurel County, Kentucky. (@jsmithwx)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 20 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 21 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 22 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 23 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 24 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 25 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 26 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 27 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 28 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 29 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 30 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Tornado damage in London, Kentucky]()
Image 31 of 37Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 32 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 33 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 34 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 35 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 36 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
![Deadly Kentucky Tornado]()
Image 37 of 37Damage left after a deadly tornado struck London, Kentucky on May 16, 2025. (Laurel County (Ky) Fiscal Court)
London on ‘high alert’ as new severe weather threat emerges in Kentucky on Tuesday
Volunteers and first responders have been on the ground in London searching the debris and helping in any way they can, but residents say they’re on high alert as more thunderstorms threaten hard-hit areas on Tuesday.
FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres spoke to a brave young girl who says she and her family have been going through what’s left of their home and taking what they could, placing belongings in a garage in case more severe weather hits on Tuesday.
She described the moment the tornado started to destroy her home.
"And my Mimi, my uncle and my dad was rushing down to the basement and everything just started hitting," Ellie Foster said. "Just hitting the window. And eventually, the last thing hit the window and everything just caved in. I could hear Pap holding me down. Just trying to hold me down."
Recovery continues in London, Kentucky, as new severe weather threat looms
Residents of London, Kentucky, are continuing to clear debris in the aftermath of a deadly tornado outbreak last week, but the danger isn’t over as a new threat of severe weather looms on Tuesday. FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres has the latest from London on May 20, 2025.
Kentucky suffered widespread damage after the extreme weather roared across the region, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 19 people were killed. Most of the victims were in Laurel County, where the city of London saw entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
"We’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters in Kentucky in recent years," Beshear said Saturday. "And while we can’t know why Kentucky keeps getting hit, and it feels tough for our people to be facing this level of pain and destruction, one thing we know here in the commonwealth is how to come together, live our faith and values and help our neighbors in their time of need."
First responders, the military and volunteers from far and wide have descended upon the hardest-hit communities of London and Somerset, working around the clock to first search for survivors within piles of debris, and then the tireless work of clearing what's left of destroyed homes and businesses.
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Watch: Tornado illuminated by lightning, power flashes in Kentucky
Video from Friday night in Somerset, shows a tornado being lit up in the night sky by lightning and power flashes.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne has been in London since shortly after the disaster struck and has been speaking with people in the area about their experience and what needs to happen to help heartbroken communities move forward.
"Our goal is to save people," tornado survivor Carrie Davis said, noting her son was also helping. "We did pass three bodies, and that’s hard for a 19-year-old to see. You know? He’s going to need a lot of help after this. And it’s tough."
Kentucky high school students step up to help with recovery effort in wake of London tornado
Survivors of a powerful tornado that ripped through the community of London in Kentucky are continuing to look through piles of debris, and local students are stepping up to help. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with student Ashton Eldridge who said he and his friends will stay in the area to help however they can.
Laurel County Public Schools have been closed since the severe weather struck, and students are stepping up to help with recovery efforts.
"I’ve had a couple of teachers of mine that have lost their homes," Ashton Eldridge said. "You know? It just hurts seeing that. People that you know, and you’ve been around your whole life, and see what can happen to them overnight."
Eldridge said he spoke with one of his teachers, who took shelter in a bathtub while the tornado roared overhead.
"As soon as it was over, everything just disappeared," he said. "Her husband had to go to the hospital. They found him under everything with his son."
Man with cross walks through Kentucky town decimated by tornado: ‘Complete and total devastation’
Cleanup and recovery operations are ongoing in the community of London, Kentucky, after deadly tornadoes swept across the region over the weekend. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with a man walking through the piles of rubble while carrying a cross who described the scene as
As local high school students step up to help their community recover, people from across the U.S. are also arriving to offer assistance. A man from Michigan was seen carrying a cross through the devastated town and just wanted to lift up survivors in prayer and let them know God is with them.
He described the scene as "complete and total devastation," much like the scene after a powerful and deadly tornado struck the community of Mayfield, Kentucky, in 2021.
"It’s very similar," he said. "The destruction is just incredible, and it’s going to take a long time. They have to have a lot of faith to know that (homes) can be rebuilt."