Death toll rises to 19 after tornado strikes Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell counties

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The death toll from this weekend’s devastating tornado continues to rise, with at least 19 people now confirmed dead across Kentucky, according to Governor Andy Beshear.

Beshear said the most recent confirmed death is a woman from Russell County. The other victims include one person in Pulaski County and 17 in Laurel County — among them, firefighter Major Leslie Roger Leatherman, who was fatally injured while responding to storm damage.

Ten people injured during the tornado remain hospitalized at UK Hospital in Lexington, with three in critical condition, Beshear said.

As recovery efforts continue, emergency management teams are conducting damage assessments to help Kentucky qualify for federal disaster assistance. The state’s Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund is now accepting donations to help cover funeral costs for victims and support survivors as they begin to rebuild.

“We need the whole world right now to be really good neighbors to this region,” Beshear said. “We’re going to need a lot of help, a lot of funding, a lot of cooperation. But we will not abandon the people that have been impacted.”

The governor is also urging storm survivors to document their property damage to help with FEMA assistance applications.