CHI St. Joseph London saw a quick surge of people needing help in the moments after the tornado touched down in Laurel County.

Barbourville Road was down to one lane in front of Slate Hill Baptist 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.

One of the biggest concerns that we have is that you’re in this debris in high winds and it becomes a projectile, and it injures or kills somebody.”

The National Weather Service has finished its survey of the deadly tornado that ripped through southeastern Kentucky last week.

Justin Hawk Smith has over 26,000 subscribers on YouTube; his usual content focuses on fixing trucks and reviewing products. But, after seeing the tornado destruction in his hometown of London, he’s switching gears.

Meteorologists with the NWS Paducah office have also confirmed several tornadoes in its region the afternoon and evening of May 16. Three tornadoes impacted western Kentucky, including an EF-3 tornado in Morganfield with winds of 155 mph, an EF-2 tornado in Allegre and an EF-2 tornado in Casky.

Despite nearly everything but them being taken away in the storms, the former pastor says his unique sense of optimism is what keeps him going.

Neighbors in London are beginning the long road to recovery after their community was reduced to rubble in a tornado. The EF-4 tornado tore through an area near the London-Corbin Airport, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Beshear announced during the briefing that the death toll has remained at 19, and that he hoped that number doesn't increase.