Latest news with #RandallWeddle
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
London prayer vigil honors tornado victims, spreads message of love
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Victims of last week's deadly tornado were read out loud at London-Corbin Airport on Friday evening. 'We honor those that survived it, but tonight, we want to honor those that we've lost in honor of their memory and to know they'll never be forgotten,' said London Mayor Randall Weddle. Mass destruction and piles of debris set the scene in the distant background as a disturbing reminder of why people were hand in hand at what's left of the airport. London prayer vigil honors tornado victims, spreads message of love Farmer, clinic offering services to victims affected by Kentucky tornado: How to get help Woman charged with murder after deadly crash in Montgomery County 'I felt as if God has just put it on my heart to come out and pray for all these families that have lost everything and have nothing left but our support, really,' said 17-year-old Madison Weymers, who lives in Corbin but decided to make the trek to London. Though much of the airport is gone now, it's become the epicenter of where donations are pouring in. But on Friday, one week after the tornado ripped through the area, it was prayers that were also being delivered. 'We're not promised an easy life, but we're called to lean on Him. We really just want everybody to come out here and be able to pray together and just give glory to Him and be there for one another,' said London Police Department's Public Affairs Officer Hobie Daugherty. Kristi Wright is a London resident. She was at the vigil and told FOX 56 that although she didn't lose her home, she knows people who did. Due to physical limitations, she can't help move debris, but she can help in other ways. 'When something like this happens and we all come together, we show that there's still good in the world, that people care about each other,' Wright said. 'And we can set, you know, all the differences aside and love on each other.' Kentucky's most misspelled word, according to study Drug overdoses see major decline: How Kentucky measures up UFO sightings in Kentucky: A look back on past 30 years Messages of resiliency, remembrance, hope, and, most importantly, love filled the runway. 'This cross behind me stands for something, and that's love. And in the midst of all this devastation, we've seen that same message of love,' Weddle said. The vigil showcased that although it's a long path to recovery, a little faith goes a long way. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Contractor network in London formulated to thwart ‘fly-by-night' scammers
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — London Mayor Randall Weddle and Attorney General Russell Coleman announced on Wednesday that they created a program to prevent fly-by-night home improvement contractors from preying on storm victims. 'Following natural disasters, consumers may encounter bad actors or dishonest business practices through price gouging, charity scams, loan scams, and contracting scams,' Weddle said. 'Consumers should be aware of these scams and report them to the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection.' Laurel County tornado victims look toward future as law enforcement cracks down on looters The Emergency Contractor Registration Program (ECRP) requires any contractor operating in city limits to register with local government officials before doing business in areas impacted by storm damage. Mayor Weddle announced on social media on Wednesday, May 18, that the attorney general's Disaster Fraud Task Force had been activated to catch those who may be trying to commit home improvement scams. According to Mayor Weddle, registered contractors would be issued placards that must be displayed on their job sites. City leaders said ECRP forms are available at the office of the city of London building inspector (606-862-8401) or the office of the city clerk (606-864-4169), both located at 501 South Main Street. Registration is free. London mother, toddler survive being blown away by tornado: 'I hear him crying' Prestonsburg Veterinary Hospital works to help pets impacted by tornado Video shows moments before Georgetown man accused of planning to meet minor is arrested Weddle wrote that Attorney General Coleman's Consumer Protection Division had tips consumers may want to know regarding 'fly-by-night contractors': Take time to research contractors or repair companies and get secondary opinions. London residents were encouraged to search for contractors via the Better Business Bureau website, get referrals from friends and family, or visit the city building inspector's office, as they are reportedly responsible for registering or licensing contract work. Resist pressure tactics and don't accept work at a 'special discount' on the spot. Never pay in advance or up front for repair work. Don't sign insurance checks over to a contractor. Be sure to get an invoice from your contractor and pay them directly, preferably with a credit card, so that charges may be disputed, if necessary. Review contracts carefully, and do not sign documents that give a contractor rights to your insurance claims. Officials in London said to report a scam, fill out this form. To report price-gouging, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Storms and tornadoes continue to ravage central US after killing dozens
LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Forecasters warned Monday that more tornados and storms were possible in the central U.S. as people from Texas to Kentucky cleaned up from severe weather that has killed more than two dozen people in four days. In St. Louis, where officials estimated a tornado Friday damaged 5,000 buildings and may cost about $1 billion, the mayor warned Monday that federal assistance could take weeks. Kentucky has been hardest hit by the storms. A devastating tornado late Friday into early Saturday damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles, left many homeless, and killed at least 19 people, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. In London where the devastation was centered , the small airport became a beehive of cleanup work after it took a direct hit from a tornado. Officials were using it as a base to get water, food, diapers and other supplies out to the community. 'We have 1,001 things going on. But we're managing it. And we're going to get it all cleaned up,' said London Mayor Randall Weddle said. Officials in Kansas and Texas also were evaluating damage from late Sunday storms. Forecasters said tornados could be possible centered in eastern Oklahoma on Monday with the risk of severe storms moving into Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Kentucky cleans up The Kentucky storms that killed 19 people were part of a weather system that caused seven deaths in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. Lonnie Nantz hid in a hallway with his wife, two daughters and a grandson as the one-story brick home they bought near London in 1977 was destroyed around them. They were trapped in rubble for about 20 minutes in the midnight darkness before they were rescued unharmed. 'I don't know why this happened. I've tried to live a good life all my life. I've still got the faith,' said the 77-year-old who went to church as always on Sunday. London city worker Ashley Taylor was back on the job Monday loading doughnuts to take to a hospital and dispatch center even though there was a tarp on her roof. She was lucky — the houses across her street were destroyed late Friday night. She survived the storm with nine other people and three dogs in the crawl space of a neighbor's home, 'We prayed like never before — and just thankful for everything God did for us,' Taylor said. In surrounding Laurel County, first responders were mourning one of their own. Fellow firefighters found the body of Laurel County Fire Major Leslie Leatherman on top of a woman he was shielding from the storm's fury as he answered calls during the worst of the storm. The woman was yelling for help and they were in a field across from a destroyed subdivision. The injured woman turned out to be Leatherman's wife and officials aren't sure if he knew who he was protecting in all the darkness and chaos, the fire department said on social media . 18 years later a city in Kansas spared Forecasters on Sunday night issued a tornado emergency for Greensburg, Kansas, which had 12 people killed and 90% of the town destroyed by a 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) wide EF5 tornado with winds of 205 mph (330kph). This time the storm spared the town. Greensburg posted of social media power was out but it was safe after the 'storm scare.' Tornadoes in Kansas also carved a 20-mile (32-kilometer) path through Stafford County and Reno County. While damage was extensive, no injuries or deaths were reported. St. Louis waits for FEMA In St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected by a tornado that moved north and west of downtown Friday. 'This was an unprecedented storm,' she said at a Monday news conference. 'Eight miles of pure destruction — at times a mile wide. We're talking about thousands of buildings. Thousands of families are being displaced.' The mayor said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was not in St. Louis yet and while local, state and federal officials were working to get the agency's resources, it could take weeks. She said anyone claiming to work for FEMA now need to be reported to the police as frauds. Acting FEMA Chief David Richardson said last week he plans to shift responsibility for disaster recovery to states this year as part of an agencywide transformation and FEMA would coordinate federal assistance 'when deemed necessary.' About 130 miles (210 kilometers) south, a tornado in Scott County killed two people, injured several others and destroyed several homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media. In Texas, possible tornados caused significant damage in Mingus and Gordon about 70 miles (112 kilometers) west of Fort Worth. Schools were damaged and classes canceled the rest of the week. No injuries or deaths were reported. National Weather Service cuts The multi-day severe weather came not long after President Donald Trump's administration massively cut staffing of National Weather Service offices, with outside experts worrying about how it would affect warnings in disasters such as tornadoes. The office in Jackson, Kentucky, which was responsible for the area around London, Kentucky, had a March 2025 vacancy rate of 25% ___ See more photos from the severe storms in the South and Midwest here. ___ Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report.
Metro
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Map shows severe storms in US after 21 killed across three states
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Storm systems are sweeping across parts of the US Midwest and South, leaving at least 21 dead, including nine people who were killed in a tornado in south-east Kentucky. Rescuers were searching for survivors all night, according to the Sheriff's Office in Laurel County, Kentucky, where structures crumbled and cars were flipped near the town of London. 'Lives have been changed forever here tonight. This is a time we come together, and we pray for this community,' London Mayor Randall Weddle told WKYT-TV. 'I have never personally witnessed what I've witnessed here tonight. There's a lot of devastation.' An emergency shelter has been set up at a local high school, and donations of food and other necessities are arriving. But warnings remain in place over much of the region. The storms were part of a weather system on Friday that killed seven people in Missouri and also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, left several hundred thousand customers without power in the Great Lakes region and brought a punishing heat wave to Texas. Forecasters say more severe weather could be on the way. 'Severe thunderstorms producing large to very large hail, damaging gusts and a couple of tornadoes are expected across the southern Plains,' the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Centre said on its website Saturday. The risk is especially high for North Texas. National Weather Service radar indicated a tornado touched down between 2.30pm and 2.50pm in Clayton, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World's Fair and Olympic Games the same year. St Louis Mayor Cara Spencer confirmed five deaths in her city and said more than 5,000 homes were affected. The number of people injured was not immediately known. Barnes-Jewish Hospital received 20 to 30 patients from the storm with some in serious condition and most expected to be discharged by Friday night, according to hospital spokesperson Laura High. Chicago is also experiencing severe weather. More Trending An apocalyptic 'wall of dust' barrelled across the windy city — so vast, it's visible from space. Satellite imagery shows the storm swallowing highways and buildings, plunging the city of 2.6 million people into darkness. It has triggered visibility warnings, halted traffic, and left Chicago residents choking on dust. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a dust storm warning, only the second time in history it has done so. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Uber has innovated so hard… they invented a bus' MORE: 'Armed and dangerous' prisoners escape through hole behind toilet while guard was on break MORE: TGI Fridays overhauls menu in comeback attempt after closing dozens of US locations
