Weather News

See photos of cleanup efforts after severe storms, tornado in Southern KY

Deadly storms ripped across the southern part of Kentucky early Saturday morning, with 19 deaths and at least one confirmed tornado reported, according to state officials.

The storm system began in Missouri on Friday afternoon and leveled homes, businesses, airport hangars and more structures as it moved into Kentucky overnight and into the early hours of Saturday

The number of deaths could grow as search and rescue operations continue.

While crews continue to assess damage, affected Kentuckians began cleanup efforts Sunday morning.

See photos of the cleanup efforts.

David Wilson takes items to be saved from his Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Wilson’s home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. Wilson and his wife, Edwina, stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said.
David Wilson takes items to be saved from his Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Wilson’s home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. Wilson and his wife, Edwina, stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Melvin Brock removes debris in front of the destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home of David and Edwina Wilson, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
Melvin Brock removes debris in front of the destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home of David and Edwina Wilson, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Damaged homes in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
Damaged homes in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
A destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
The Sunshine Hill Baptist Church bus sits destroyed among neighboring houses in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
The Sunshine Hill Baptist Church bus sits destroyed among neighboring houses in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A flag sits at the site of the Sunshine Hill Baptist Church in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
A flag sits at the site of the Sunshine Hill Baptist Church in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Melvin Brock removes a car from the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
Melvin Brock removes a car from the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Melvin Brock removes a car as saved items sit in front of the destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home of David and Edwina Wilson, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes.
Melvin Brock removes a car as saved items sit in front of the destroyed Sunshine Hills neighborhood home of David and Edwina Wilson, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Two days earlier, a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood destroying homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
David and Edwina Wilson clean up and take items to be saved from their Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Their home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. They stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said.
David and Edwina Wilson clean up and take items to be saved from their Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Their home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. They stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Edwina Wilson shows friends and family members photos as they clean up and take items to be saved from their Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Wilson’s home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. Her and her husband, David, stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said.
Edwina Wilson shows friends and family members photos as they clean up and take items to be saved from their Sunshine Hills home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 in London, Ky. Wilson’s home was destroyed when a deadly tornado ripped through the neighborhood two days earlier. Her and her husband, David, stayed in the home during the storm. “The walls just fell down around them,” Joe Wilson, their son said. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes.
A damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Lacy Castle surveyed the damage to his home and back patio on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. Castle said storm took the roof in one piece, “boom and you could look at the sky.” Their roof landed scattered across the street he said.
Lacy Castle surveyed the damage to his home and back patio on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. Castle said storm took the roof in one piece, “boom and you could look at the sky.” Their roof landed scattered across the street he said. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes.
A damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Ken Likins hauls debris to the curb from a damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Likins said he was friends with the homeowner and lived across the street. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes.
Ken Likins hauls debris to the curb from a damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Likins said he was friends with the homeowner and lived across the street. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Hannah Robbins from Faith Assembly of God Church in London brings water to storm survivors on Pine Oak Trail in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes.
Hannah Robbins from Faith Assembly of God Church in London brings water to storm survivors on Pine Oak Trail in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Lacy Castle salvaged what he could from his damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. “I’m just out here getting what was kind of left,” Castle said. He and his wife are starting at a local hotel for now.
Lacy Castle salvaged what he could from his damaged home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. “I’m just out here getting what was kind of left,” Castle said. He and his wife are starting at a local hotel for now. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
A truck is flipped on its side on Sunday, May 18, 2025, behind Mattress Overstock off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky.
A truck is flipped on its side on Sunday, May 18, 2025, behind Mattress Overstock off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
Part of the sign for Slate Hill Baptist Church is blown out as traffic on Barbourville Road was down to one lane in front of the church just outside of London, Ky. in Laurel County Sunday, May 18, 2025 as utility workers made repairs from down lines on the road. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Southern Kentucky community destroying many homes.
Part of the sign for Slate Hill Baptist Church is blown out as traffic on Barbourville Road was down to one lane in front of the church just outside of London, Ky. in Laurel County Sunday, May 18, 2025 as utility workers made repairs from down lines on the road. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Southern Kentucky community destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
The dining room of Lacy Castle’s house Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife.
The dining room of Lacy Castle’s house Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Lacy Castle surveyed the damage to his home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. Castle said storm took the roof in one piece, “boom and you could look at the sky.” Their roof landed scattered across the street he said.
Lacy Castle surveyed the damage to his home on Cedar Ridge Drive in the Crooked Creek neighborhood east of London, Ky., Sunday, May 18, 2025. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Laurel County, destroying many homes, including Castle’s, who survived the storm in his house along with his wife. Castle said storm took the roof in one piece, “boom and you could look at the sky.” Their roof landed scattered across the street he said. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Slate Hill Baptist Church pastor Robert Williams stand in front of his church on Barbourville Road, Sunday, May 18, 2025, just outside of London, Ky. in Laurel County. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Southern Kentucky city destroying many homes.
Slate Hill Baptist Church pastor Robert Williams stand in front of his church on Barbourville Road, Sunday, May 18, 2025, just outside of London, Ky. in Laurel County. Two days earlier, thunderstorms and a deadly tornado ripped through the Southern Kentucky city destroying many homes. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Electrical construction workers wait to clear debris from a fallen power line on Sunday, May 18, 2025, on U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky.
Electrical construction workers wait to clear debris from a fallen power line on Sunday, May 18, 2025, on U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
Chris Colier, right, holds the step ladder for John McKinney, who climbs off the roof to grab more tarps on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky.
Chris Colier, right, holds the step ladder for John McKinney, who climbs off the roof to grab more tarps on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
Light shines through the roof into the garage on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Colier house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky.
Light shines through the roof into the garage on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Colier house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
Chris Colier, left, with help from John McKinney, center, and another neighbor spread a tarp out to cover the roof on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Colier said he was preparing for rain to fall on Monday.
Chris Colier, left, with help from John McKinney, center, and another neighbor spread a tarp out to cover the roof on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at his house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Colier said he was preparing for rain to fall on Monday. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
A farmer clears debris from the fields of his crops on Sunday, May 18, 2025, outside South Kentucky RECC in Somerset, Ky.
A farmer clears debris from the fields of his crops on Sunday, May 18, 2025, outside South Kentucky RECC in Somerset, Ky. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her
Chris Cook, right watches his son rake branches from a fallen tree on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Boedy house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Cook said his sons wanted to be out helping, anyway they could.
Chris Cook, right watches his son rake branches from a fallen tree on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Boedy house off U.S. Route 27 in Somerset, Ky. Cook said his sons wanted to be out helping, anyway they could. Christian Kantosky Christian Kantosky/Lexington Her

This story was originally published May 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM.

Profile Image of Taylor Six
Taylor Six
Lexington Herald-Leader
Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.
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