19-05-2025
'It's a war zone': Communities pick up the pieces after deadly Kentucky tornadoes
Two days after deadly tornadoes tore through southern Kentucky, devastated communities are beginning the painful process of picking up the pieces.
At least 19 people have died across the state, with 17 fatalities reported in Laurel County, one in Pulaski County and another in Russell County, according to Governor Andy Beshear. Among the dead is Firefighter Major Roger Leslie Leatherman, who was killed while responding to the destruction.
Beshear said damage assessments were still being conducted Monday by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management.
"Kentuckians are strong," he continued. "We will make it through this, and we'll make it through this together."
"It's a war zone," said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, which is also continuing search and rescue efforts as families return to rubble where their homes once stood.
Some residents, like Craig Singleton of London, survived the storm by sheltering in a neighbor's basement. When they emerged, most of their house was gone.
"What's most surprising to me is just the amount of destruction," Singleton said. AccuWeather Reporter Ali Reid, who was in London Monday morning reporting on the recovery efforts, told AccuWeather, "The destruction is incredibly overwhelming to see firsthand... Kitchens scattered on front lawns, peoples' bathrooms found blocks aways... Many people saying, it's like a bomb exploded here."
Those who lived through it say the tornado was scary, but it was the deadly silent moments after the tornado had passed that were beyond terrifying.
"It sounded like 10 freight trains all at one coming after you," London resident Phillip Miller told Reid. "After the noise went away, it got dead silent again. People hollering for help everywhere... There was a feller lying down there. His son was trying to get him to stay awake. His wife was on this end, and she was buried in debris up to her chest.""There's no words to define it. It's just devastating," Miller's wife, Deanna, added.
The violent storms collapsed buildings, overturned cars and leveled neighborhoods. The Salvation Army has mobilized disaster teams, and shelters have opened at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School and Community Christian Church in London. First responders and displaced residents are gathering at South Laurel High School for food, warmth and aid.
Donations are being accepted at First Baptist Church on West 5th Street. Authorities are urging residents to bring food, blankets and hygiene supplies and to turn in any found valuables to the sheriff's office to help reunite families with what little remains.
Some communities are drawing strength from each other. The Kentucky Prime football team helped sift through debris, salvaging what they could. "It's painful, but we're here to help," said team member Brayden Adams.
Pastor Michael Casada's church in London was reduced to a shell. "The back of the basement is all that's standing," said his wife, Tracy. "But somehow the piano survived. We're going to try to save it."
Governor Beshear, acknowledging the rising toll of extreme weather in the state, said, "This feels like the new normal. But our collective resilience is great."
The full scale of the destruction is still unfolding as southern Kentucky enters a long road to recovery-yet again - but residents are hopeful and believe their community will come back stronger than ever. Within hours of the destruction, volunteers were on site clearing debris, offering meals and setting up emergency shelters. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but recovery is well underway.
"To see what has been done within, what, 48 hours, it's unreal."
