At least 19 people killed in KY storms. How you can help survivors

Officials in Laurel County said they are taking donations for storm and tornado victims and need volunteers to help coordinate relief efforts.

At least 19 people are confirmed dead across Kentucky as of Sunday evening following a wave of overnight storms and with two confirmed tornadoes destroying homes in Somerset and London.

Laurel County Sheriff Department officials said they are continuing to take donations to help survivors, including personal hygiene products and food.

Other places are also opening their doors in hard hit Laurel and Pulaski counties. Here’s a roundup of ways to help:

Monetary donations:

• Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday people can donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund, which has been set up to help with prior 2025 storms. That money will make it to victims in Laurel and Pulaski counties.

• United Way of Southern Kentucky is accepting monetary donations with all donations staying in Pulaski County, no administrative fees attached. Proceeds will go directly to those affected, according to its Facebook account. Checks can be made payable to the United Way of South Central Kentucky. Put “disaster relief” in the memo line.

Supply donations and local drives:

• The United Way of South Central Kentucky is also accepting donations of supplies. Donations can be dropped off at its Somerset office at 206 West Mt. Vernon St.

• The Office of Laurel County Sheriff John Root requests donations be dropped off at the old London Market at 1801 North Main St. next to the Dollar Store and Autozone, a spokesperson for the office confirmed Monday. The sheriff’s office has been requesting donations of food, hygiene items, clothing, blankets, tarps and any supplies to help victims.

• London police are asking for in-demand items to be brought to the London-Corbin Airport at 566 Hal Rogers Drive in London. The list of in-demand items includes nonperishable food Items, baby food, diapers and wipes, new socks and underwear, new shoes, toilet paper, paper towels, tarps, nails/screws, trash bags, batteries, plastic wrap, dog and cat food, first aid/medical supplies, tampons, heavy duty work gloves, wash clothes/towels, hair brushes & hairbows, flashlights and lanterns and razors/shaving cream. Along with those items, an London Police Department spokesperson said Monday afternoon they are in immediate need of tarps and totes.

Other support services:

• Places to stay: In Laurel County, an email from the sheriff’s office said anyone in need of a place to stay should call 606-389-3973. A place will be provided free of charge, the notice said.

• Wi-Fi hot spots: Somerset Community College has Wi-Fi access available in its campus parking spots.

• Free showers: The Planet Fitness in Somerset at 2835 South Highway 27 Suite 80 is offering free showers to the public.

Don’t get scammed:

If you are considering making a donation, particularly an online monetary donation, be wary of disaster scams. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends you:

• Identify who you are donating to
• Don’t feel pressured to give immediately
• Be wary of price gouging
• Don’t give out personal information
• Stay up to date on scams in your area or related to the disaster
• Be on the lookout for fake charities

This story was originally published May 17, 2025 at 2:44 PM.

Beth Musgrave

Lexington Herald-Leader

Beth Musgrave has covered government and politics for the Herald-Leader for more than a decade. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has worked as a reporter in Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Washington D.C. Support my work with a digital subscription