20th victim from deadly Kentucky storm was critically hurt by falling tree
A 70-year-old man from McCracken County is the 20th victim attributed to the May 16 storms that hit Kentucky.
Richard Bates Anderson was in Ballard County when the wind knocked a tree down onto his vehicle, according to McCracken County Coroner Amanda Melton and Rob Estes, the county emergency manager.
Anderson was flown to a hospital in Nashville, but died there May 30, officials said.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the death on social media June 5, but he did not immediately identify the person.
It took Melton some time to track down details of the death because Anderson was injured in another county and died out of state.
Melton confirmed Monday that Anderson was the 20th death from the violent weather that swept through the commonwealth the afternoon and late evening of May 16. Most of the deaths occurred in Laurel County when a tornado with wind speeds of up to 170 mph hit residential areas of London, killing nine people in one subdivision.
One person each died in Russell and Pulaski counties.
A tornado also caused considerable damage in a commercial section of Somerset, damaging or destroying more than 20 businesses.
Beshear said in a letter requesting disaster aid that the number of homes with at least some damage from the storm could exceed 5,000, with 1,500 destroyed or heavily damaged.
Anderson is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy; a son and daughter; a granddaughter; and other relatives, according to his obituary.
Anderson worked more than 40 years at Atmos Energy.
He enjoyed spending time at Land Between the Lakes “where he loved hiking, fishing, and spending time with those he loved the most,” his obituary said.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM.
