Laurel County clean up complicated by more rain

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — As communities across southern Kentucky continue the long road to recovery after Friday’s deadly tornado, new storms Tuesday night brought fresh challenges — drenching debris, damaging already-vulnerable homes, and forcing some residents to evacuate once again.

Lydia Hughes, who lives in Laurel County with her husband and six children, said the tornado struck terrifyingly close to home.

“I knew it hit, it busted a window by my bed,” Hughes said. “I heard the pop and thought, ‘OK, it hit the house somehow.’”

She said her family took shelter in their bathroom as the tornado roared through the area. Fortunately, their home suffered only minor damage, and even their chickens survived. A trail of downed trees cut through the landscape, stopping just short of their yard.

Tuesday night’s storms brought another round of high winds and heavy rain. Laurel County 911 reported new damage and flooding, forcing some families to temporarily evacuate. Hughes said her husband was reluctant to leave this time, fearing what might happen once the storm passed.

“I think my husband came back at 11 because he wanted to make sure there weren’t any looters,” she said.

With more rain on the way, residents are now worried about mold and water damage in homes already exposed to the elements.

“It was nice that there were dry days,” Hughes said, “but especially for people with their homes damaged, the mold is going to be a big issue going forward.”

Despite the setbacks, the spirit of support remains strong. Crews and volunteers continue showing up in force across affected neighborhoods, helping families clear debris and begin putting their lives back together