Recovery efforts underway in Kentucky, Missouri after tornado outbreak leaves dozens dead, decimates towns
At least 18 people were killed in Kentucky, and at least seven others were killed in Missouri after a deadly tornado outbreak on Friday.
Deadly tornadoes carve paths of destruction in Kentucky, Missouri
Recovery operations are underway in Kentucky and Missouri after deadly tornadoes carved paths of destruction across the regions, including the St. Louis area. FOX Weather Meteorologists Kendall Smith and Michael Estie break down the latest on May 18, 2025.
LONDON, Ky. – Recovery operations are underway, and first responders are continuing their heroic efforts to search for survivors among the countless piles of destroyed homes and businesses in Kentucky and Missouri, days after a disastrous tornado outbreak tore across those states, leaving dozens of people dead.
Kentucky suffered widespread damage, especially in London and Somerset. Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 18 people were killed in his state, although Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers believes that number could be closer to two dozen.
Beshear is no stranger to deadly disasters slamming the state. Back in early April, several people were killed and hundreds were displaced after historic flooding. And just like he did during that disaster, Beshear held a news conference after touring the most recent severe weather damage that has impacted communities.
"We’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters in Kentucky in recent years," Beshear said. "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."
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Cleanup begins in Pulaski County
‘It was devastating’: Kentucky tornado tears through Somerset leveling homes, businesses
Recovery operations are continuing in Kentucky after a deadly tornado outbreak Friday. Pulaski County Government Communications Director John Alexander joined FOX Weather from Somerset on Sunday to talk about how the region was impacted and what lies ahead moving forward from the deadly disaster.
Homes and businesses were leveled in Somerset, in Pulaski County, after a tornado with a preliminary rating of EF-2 tore across that community, but officials there say the situation could have been far worse.
"Kentucky is a close-knit community, especially where we are here in Pulaski County," Pulaski County Government Communications Director John Alexander said. "All of our first responders have done an incredible job of getting us to the point where we can start the cleanup process."
Alexander said a large section of Highway 27 is still closed in the area, but work continues to clear debris.
"Our thoughts are still with our neighboring community in Laurel County," he said. "The process now will just be the cleanup and trying to get everybody back to where we can move on from what’s happened."
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) (Getty Images)
And as with any tight-knit community, people from all over are stepping up to help the rebuilding process.
"Our road crews were out day and night (Saturday)," he said. "Our inmate crews that we were able to utilize from our local jails were able to pitch in as well and did a wonderful job to give back to the community."
But as work continues in Pulaski County, they aren’t forgetting about their neighbors in Laurel County.
"We are a close-knit community, and we come together in times of crisis like this," Alexander continued. "We’re just going to move forward the best we can and then help our neighbors in Laurel County as well. The devastation there was worse than what it was here in Pulaski County."
Laurel County enters recovery phase after tornado
In nearby Laurel County, the fire department announced Sunday that the area has now entered its recovery phase in the wake of the deadly tornado.
"Emergency response efforts have transitioned to focus on damage assessments, clean-up planning, and long-term recovery support," the Laurel County Fire Department said.
In addition, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are scheduled to arrive in the area on Monday to begin a comprehensive assessment of the damage.
And this comes as the fire department and community remain in mourning after the death of longtime firefighter Maj. Leslie Roger Leatherman, who was killed during his heroic response to the tornado.
"This is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our first responders face every day, and the incredible bravery they show in the face of disaster," the fire department said.
‘IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF’: TORNADO LEAVES TRAIL OF DEVASTATION IN KENTUCKY
Deadly tornado leaves trail of damage in London, Kentucky
A tornado that swept through London, Kentucky Friday night left multiple people dead and a wide swath of significant damage.
Video from London on Friday showed extensive damage, with multiple homes destroyed and vehicles barely recognizable as debris littered the neighborhood and lightning still flashed in the background.
"(My daughter) got scared, so we went to the hallway," a woman named Leslie, who survived the storm with her family, told emergency officials in the video. "And we were in there about two minutes and then my husband came running in and pretty much jumped on top of her because you could feel the air sucking in, and it sounded like a train. And then we saw stuff falling, and next thing you knew, most of the house was gone."
Tornado damage in London, Kentucky as seen on May 17, 2025. (London Mayor Randall Weddle / FOX Weather)
London Mayor Randall Weddle posted several photos from an aerial tour of the damage given by Air Evac Life Team, which itself lost its hangar and one of its helicopters to the tornado.
Photos show wide swaths of damaged buildings across the London Corbin airport and into surrounding neighborhoods.
Tornado damage in Pulaski County, Kentucky on May 17, 2025. (Somerset Pulaski County Special Response / FOX Weather)
Beshear said first responders from Kentucky Emergency Management, the Kentucky National Guard, the Kentucky State Police, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have been in the area since Saturday morning.
Nearly 70 soldiers and airmen from the Kentucky National Guard have been assisting in response efforts in Laurel and Pulaski counties, and they're also assisting Kentucky State Police with roving and stationary patrols to enhance public safety.
Blackhawk helicopter crews have also been conducting aerial surveys of Laurel and Pulaski counties to review damage and assess the area.
Deadly Missouri tornado rated EF-3
Powerful winds send trees, debris down St. Louis street
Footage shot on Friday afternoon shows powerful winds in St. Louis, Missouri, hurling brush and debris down Pershing Avenue.
At least seven people were killed in Missouri when the severe weather and tornadoes swept across the state, including in the St. Louis area.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that slammed St. Louis has a preliminary rating of EF-3, with winds estimated to be about 150 mph. In addition, the twister was up to a mile wide at some points when it was carving out its path of deadly destruction.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said at least five storm-related fatalities have been confirmed in her city. She also implemented a city-wide curfew because over 5,000 homes were affected by the storms.
Much of the damage in the St. Louis area seems to have happened in the University City area.
WOMAN KILLED AFTER CHURCH ROOF COLLAPSES DURING TORNADO STRIKE IN ST. LOUIS
Storm damage is seen in the Forest Park neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, on May 16, 2025. (Aishah French / FOX Weather)
FOX News Multimedia Reporter Olivianna Calmes found damage in Clayton, just south of University City. She said she has seen several trees damaged, and some trees have fallen on cars in the area.
"The skies turned green," Rachel, a resident of Clayton, told Calmes. "The winds started whipping. Then, it fell silent, and then you heard what sounded like a train, and everything started falling.
In Scott County, located about two hours south of St. Louis, the sheriff reported at least two storm-related deaths and multiple injuries.