Deadly Kentucky tornado that leveled London rated EF-4 as recovery efforts continue
A National Weather Service survey found that the twister had winds of 170 mph as it tore a 55.6-mile-long path across Pulaski and Laurel counties.
Severe weather threatens areas of Kentucky still reeling in wake of deadly tornado outbreak
Severe weather is once again threatening parts of Kentucky that were hit hard by a deadly tornado outbreak last week. FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres was in London with the latest on recovery efforts on May 20, 2025.
Fast Facts:
- The National Weather Service rated the tornado that hit London, Kentucky, an EF-4 with winds of 170 mph.
- At least 19 people were killed when severe weather and tornadoes struck Kentucky.
- More severe weather is expected in hard-hit areas Tuesday, with damaging winds and tornadoes possible.
LONDON, Ky. – Hearts are heavy across Kentucky in the wake of deadly tornadoes that slammed the state last week. Despite that, first responders and volunteers, some of whom are high school students, continue recovery efforts to rebuild communities that were leveled by the storms.
The danger isn’t over, however. More severe weather is expected to impact the same devastated areas Tuesday.
Extensive damage in London, Kentucky near the Davis family home following the deadly May 16, 2025 tornado. ( )
Terrifying twister given EF-4 rating
Officials at the National Weather Service office in Jackson, Kentucky, said Tuesday that the tornado that tore through London was rated EF-4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The survey found that the twister had winds of 170 mph as it tore a 55.6-mile-long path across Pulaski and Laurel counties. At one point, the path was nearly a mile wide.
"This is the deadliest tornado in the history of our CWA (County Warning Area)," officials said.
The last fatality from a tornado in Laurel County, where London is located, happened March 2, 2012. The last time London was hit by a tornado was an F-2 on June 2, 2001.
London on ‘high alert’ as new severe weather threat emerges in Kentucky on Tuesday
Volunteers and first responders have been on the ground in London searching the debris and helping in any way they can, but residents say they’re on high alert as more thunderstorms threaten hard-hit areas on Tuesday.
FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres spoke to a brave young girl who says she and her family have been going through what’s left of their home and taking what they could, placing belongings in a garage in case more severe weather hits on Tuesday.
She described the moment the tornado started to destroy her home.
"And my Mimi, my uncle and my dad was rushing down to the basement and everything just started hitting," Ellie Foster said. "Just hitting the window. And eventually, the last thing hit the window and everything just caved in. I could hear Pap holding me down. Just trying to hold me down."
Recovery continues in London, Kentucky, as new severe weather threat looms
Residents of London, Kentucky, are continuing to clear debris in the aftermath of a deadly tornado outbreak last week, but the danger isn’t over as a new threat of severe weather looms on Tuesday. FOX News Multimedia Reporter Chelsea Torres has the latest from London on May 20, 2025.
Kentucky suffered widespread damage after the extreme weather roared across the region, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 19 people were killed. Most of the victims were in Laurel County, where the city of London saw entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
"We’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters in Kentucky in recent years," Beshear said Saturday. "And while we can’t know why Kentucky keeps getting hit, and it feels tough for our people to be facing this level of pain and destruction, one thing we know here in the commonwealth is how to come together, live our faith and values and help our neighbors in their time of need."
First responders, the military and volunteers from far and wide have descended upon the hardest-hit communities of London and Somerset, working around the clock to first search for survivors within piles of debris, and then the tireless work of clearing what's left of destroyed homes and businesses.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP
Watch: Tornado illuminated by lightning, power flashes in Kentucky
Video from Friday night in Somerset, shows a tornado being lit up in the night sky by lightning and power flashes.
FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne has been in London since shortly after the disaster struck and has been speaking with people in the area about their experience and what needs to happen to help heartbroken communities move forward.
"Our goal is to save people," tornado survivor Carrie Davis said, noting her son was also helping. "We did pass three bodies, and that’s hard for a 19-year-old to see. You know? He’s going to need a lot of help after this. And it’s tough."
Kentucky high school students step up to help with recovery effort in wake of London tornado
Survivors of a powerful tornado that ripped through the community of London in Kentucky are continuing to look through piles of debris, and local students are stepping up to help. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with student Ashton Eldridge who said he and his friends will stay in the area to help however they can.
Laurel County Public Schools have been closed since the severe weather struck, and students are stepping up to help with recovery efforts.
"I’ve had a couple of teachers of mine that have lost their homes," Ashton Eldridge said. "You know? It just hurts seeing that. People that you know, and you’ve been around your whole life, and see what can happen to them overnight."
Eldridge said he spoke with one of his teachers, who took shelter in a bathtub while the tornado roared overhead.
"As soon as it was over, everything just disappeared," he said. "Her husband had to go to the hospital. They found him under everything with his son."
Man with cross walks through Kentucky town decimated by tornado: ‘Complete and total devastation’
Cleanup and recovery operations are ongoing in the community of London, Kentucky, after deadly tornadoes swept across the region over the weekend. FOX Weather Correspondent Katie Byrne was in London on Monday and spoke with a man walking through the piles of rubble while carrying a cross who described the scene as
As local high school students step up to help their community recover, people from across the U.S. are also arriving to offer assistance. A man from Michigan was seen carrying a cross through the devastated town and just wanted to lift up survivors in prayer and let them know God is with them.
He described the scene as "complete and total devastation," much like the scene after a powerful and deadly tornado struck the community of Mayfield, Kentucky, in 2021.
"It’s very similar," he said. "The destruction is just incredible, and it’s going to take a long time. They have to have a lot of faith to know that (homes) can be rebuilt."