Latest news with #KentuckyStorms
CNN
5 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Unexpected tornado leaves at least 1 dead, multiple injured in Kentucky
At least one person is dead and seven others injured after an unexpected tornado struck a rural Kentucky county early Friday morning as a line of severe storms moved eastward across the state. The man was killed on Long Run Road in the Deep Creek area of Washington County and numerous homes and structures were severely damaged in the area, Washington County Sheriff Jerry Pinkston confirmed to CNN. Photos shared on Facebook by the sheriff's office showed the devastating aftermath, with cars overturned, homes flattened and trees uprooted. The tornado was at least an EF1, according to a preliminary survey by the National Weather Service. At least two homes were totally destroyed, Washington County Judge Executive Timothy Graves said at a Friday morning news conference. 'We were very fortunate this was located in a remote part of the county so it was a smaller area that was hit, but it was devastating,' Graves said. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear noted 'this level of severe weather was unexpected' in a post on X. 'We also expect to see additional storms today with Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky facing a risk of more severe weather. Please be alert this morning and stay safe.' Storms in Kentucky had intensified quickly Friday morning. There was no tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch in place ahead of time, and the Storm Prediction Center had not outlooked the area as even having low probabilities for tornadoes. A severe thunderstorm warning that also noted tornadoes were possible was issued for Washington County at 6:46 a.m., followed by a tornado warning just three minutes later. Initial damage reports came in at around 6:53 a.m., suggesting there was only minutes of lead time before the tornado struck. Kentucky has experienced a spate of dangerous severe weather this spring, from violent storms to devastating floods that have caused significant damage and loss of life. Earlier this month, a powerful storm system swept across the central US, triggering multiple tornadoes that claimed 18 lives in Kentucky. Southeastern parts of the state were hit hardest, with widespread damage to buildings, vehicles, trees and infrastructure. In April, the state faced historic flooding that killed seven people, damaged roads, and destroyed hundreds of homes, prompting evacuations and water rescues. The state had endured more flooding in February that left at least 12 people dead. More than 1,000 tornadoes spawn across the United States in an average year, causing deaths, injuries and billions of dollars in damage. This tornado season got off to an accelerated start, with the cumulative number of them thus far outpacing the 15-year average. At least 973 tornadoes have been reported so far this year in the contiguous United States. Georgia also saw a dangerous tornado spin up in an Atlanta suburb Thursday afternoon as severe thunderstorms moved through the area. The tornado destroyed the Locust Grove home of 'The Wire' actor Tray Chaney while the family was inside, Chaney said. His teenaged son, Malachi, was thrown about 300 feet into the woods, according to the actor. 'Thank God I'm still living. I survived the tornado, my son – he survived,' Chaney said in an emotional video posted on Instagram. 'I'm doing the video to let you know right now man, cherish life. Cherish life as much as you can.' His son is in the ICU, Chaney said in a statement on Friday. He told CNN affiliate WANF the teen had broken several ribs and fractured a bone in his face. Malachi turns 19 on Sunday. CNN Meteorologists Brandon Miller and Gene Norman contributed to this report.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People in six KY counties hit by storms, tornadoes can now apply for FEMA help
President Donald Trump has approved Gov. Andy Beshear's request for federal disaster assistance in six Kentucky counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes last weekend. People in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties can apply for individual assistance through FEMA, the agency said Friday night. 'Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,' a FEMA news release stated. Beshear said in a statement on the social media platform X Friday night that 'this process takes time and we will add more counties to our request as damage assessments are completed.' Beshear thanked Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying the support 'is essential to helping families affected rebuild.' The storms May 16 and 17 left 19 Kentuckians dead, including 17 people in Laurel County, and severely injured others. An EF-4 tornado carved a path more than 55 miles long across Pulaski and Laurel counties, destroying or heavily damaging at least 1,500 homes, according to initial estimates included in Beshear's request. The cost of cleaning up the debris was estimated at $59 million. Individuals and business owners can apply for assistance by visiting calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA app.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 18 dead in Kentucky, nearly 200,000 left without power after weekend storms
Kentucky's governor announced the state would look into emergency housing options after storms and severe weather killed at least 18 people in Kentucky. "We are hard at work this morning addressing the tragic damage and deaths caused by severe weather Saturday morning," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a post on the social media site X. "We are securing emergency housing options and looking into sites for intermediate housing." On May 16, Beshear declared a state of emergency due to a weather system that was moving across the state. All 18 confirmed killed were adults, ranging in age from 25 to 74, according to the Kentucky Governor's Office's press release. Some of the victims' ages have not been disclosed, and only a few have been named publicly. At least another five deaths are suspected. Most of the victims lived in Laurel County, but one person, a female whose age was not disclosed, lived in Pulaski County, which is around 133 miles southeast of Louisville, Kentucky. Laurel County is around 150 miles southeast of Louisville. Seven deaths were also reported in Missouri, while two were reported in Virginia, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. USA TODAY has contacted the Kentucky Governor's Office for more information. On May 17, more than 69,000 people were left without power, according to Beshear. Immediately after the storm, however, that figure had jumped to over 172,000. The number has since shrunk down to 26,517 as of May 18, according to USA TODAY data. As of 10:30 a.m. ET, around 194,455 outages are being reported throughout five states, including Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama and Arkansas, according to USA TODAY's data. The severe weather was not isolated to Kentucky. Preliminary reports of tornadoes were also made in the following states: Missouri Illinois Indiana New Jersey Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Zac Anderson; USA TODAY Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ (This is a developing story and will be updated.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 18 dead in Kentucky after severe storms hit states across country
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Tornado Activity In Kentucky, Missouri Leaves 21 Dead
At least 21 people are dead in Kentucky and Missouri on Saturday after a night of severe weather and tornadoes battered cities large and small across the two states, with officials warning the death toll is likely to rise. Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed on Friday, May 16, 2025 when ... More severe storms, including a possible tornado, swept through the city. (AP Photo/Michael Phillis) At least 14 people have been killed in Kentucky while seven have been reported dead in Missouri, according to state officials. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said 'we lost at least 14 of our people to last night's storms,' noting the 'number is expected to grow as we receive more information.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
