817 Laurel County homes damaged in May 16 storms, London mayor says
A wave of storms and a tornado ripped through Kentucky May 16, leaving 19 people dead.
Most of the damage was concentrated in Laurel and Pulaski Counties. The powerful system chewed up stores and neighborhoods, collapsed buildings, overturned cars and triggered desperate door-to-door rescues in hopes of pulling residents from flattened homes.
Randall Weddle, mayor of London, said in a Facebook post Friday the storms damaged or destroyed 817 homes in Laurel County.
▪ Homes destroyed completely: 280
▪ Homes with major damage: 195
▪ Homes with minor damage: 133
▪ Homes lightly affected: 134
▪ Homes with no visible damage: 75
▪ Total affected homes: 817
'It's crucial that the affected families connect with all available agencies to receive the assistance they need,' Weddle said. 'Ensuring everyone is aware of the resources and support options is vital for their recovery.'
Some homeowners and renters in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties who were affected by the May 16-17 tornadoes are eligible for federal aid.
Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance is available for displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses.
Kentucky has recorded at least 43 deaths from severe weather this year.
'I don't know why this is happening to Kentucky,' Gov. Andy Beshear said following the storms. 'But our collective resilience is great, and we remain there for the communities that have been hit so hard.'
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