Somerset, KY – A powerful EF-4 tornado carved a destructive path across southern Kentucky Friday night, leaving at least 19 people dead and hundreds of structures damaged in Russell, Pulaski, and Laurel counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, the tornado touched down at 10:33 p.m. Friday near the Whittle community in Russell County. It traveled 55.6 miles before lifting at 11:56 p.m. near East Laurel Road in Laurel County. With peak winds reaching 170 mph and a maximum width of nearly a mile, the storm tore through densely populated neighborhoods and rural areas alike.
In Pulaski County, significant damage was recorded near Somerset, where the tornado struck homes, businesses, and the South Kentucky RECC. Damage surveys reported EF-3 level destruction along key roadways including Parkers Mill Way and U.S. Highway 27.
The worst devastation occurred in Laurel County, where the tornado moved through southern London and the Sunshine Hills subdivision. According to NWS assessments, homes were flattened and trees stripped of bark and branches, leading officials to assign the storm an EF-4 rating in this area. Most of the storm-related fatalities—17 of the 19—were reported in Laurel County.
Before dissipating, the tornado caused EF-0 level damage near Levi Jackson Park, Crooked Creek Golf Course, and surrounding neighborhoods. One death each was reported in Russell and Pulaski counties.
The storm is now considered one of the strongest and deadliest to ever affect the NWS Jackson coverage area. Emergency officials praised the efforts of local agencies and NWS teams from Nashville and Louisville, as well as federal support for conducting damage assessments.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on more relevant news stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have something you’d like to let us know about? Message us on our social channels and let us know about it!
