Just five months into the year, the Commonwealth has requested its third federal disaster declaration of 2025 following a deadly tornado that touched down in southern Kentucky in the late hours of May 16. The storm caused the deaths of 19 people.
Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update Thursday about the ongoing response and recovery efforts.
“To those affected by this weekend’s severe weather, our promise to you is the same one we’ve made to each and every family impacted by natural disasters these past few years,” Beshear said. “We will rebuild every home and every life. We will keep showing up over and over. We will walk this road of recovery together.”
EF-4 tornado
The National Weather Service (NWS) released findings Thursday of its damage survey, which determined that the storm blew across Russell, Pulaski and Laurel counties. The tornado touched down at 10:27 p.m. and was on the ground for 60 miles, ending at 11:56 p.m. With an estimated peak wind speed of 170 miles per hour, NWS determined the tornado had an EF-4 rating.
The path of destruction, nearly a mile wide, was visible from space.
The NWS survey report described the storm as “one of the strongest tornadoes and also the deadliest to ever impact the Jackson NWS coverage area.”
Debris cleanup
A steady stream of trucks has been coming in and out of the Sunshine Hills subdivision in Laurel County, which sustained catastrophic damage from the tornado. Road crews and volunteers from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, other counties, businesses and non-profit organizations have been lending a hand.
“We feel confident now that with all of our partners that we will be able to make the most rapid response possible to restore Laurel County citizens as normal as we can,” Deputy Judge/Executive Mike Calebs said in a post on the county’s Facebook page.
In an effort to prevent looting, officials in Laurel County and Pulaski County implemented curfews for storm-affected areas. Kentucky State Police and members of the Kentucky National Guard are also providing security.
Request for federal help
Gov. Beshear sent his formal request for a Major Disaster Declaration by the federal government on May 20. In a letter to President Trump, Beshear said the storm likely destroyed or significantly damaged more than 1,500 homes.
The request seeks support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the form of Individual Assistance for eight counties and Public Assistance for 22 counties. Beshear said Thursday that more counties will likely be added to the request.
Kentucky’s congressional delegation echoed their support for the disaster request in a joint letter to the president.
