Names of 17 tornado victims in Laurel County released

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — As recovery continues from Friday night’s devastating tornado outbreak, officials have released the names of the 17 people who lost their lives in Laurel County, now confirmed by Coroner Doug Bowling.

The victims range in age from 25 to 88 years old, and many were found in or near their homes that were leveled by the powerful confirmed EF-4 tornado. Among those killed:

• Richard McFall, 73

• Wanda McFall, 65

• June Johnson Fisher, 74

• Les Letherman, 58

• Darlene Miller, 67

• Nancy Clem, 69

• Pamela Mason, 67

• Sherri Smith, 68

• Tiffany Heim, 48

• Ray Cowan, 88

• Linda Sweet, 72

• Gary Sweet, 71

• Lisa Fortney, 50

• Kenneth Elliott, 63

• Marshall Miracle, 25

• Bobby Tillman, 76

• Bernice Tillman, 73

Among them was Major Les Letherman, a longtime firefighter with the Laurel County Fire Department, who was fatally injured while shielding his wife from the storm. She survived but remains hospitalized with critical injuries.

Friday’s storms also claimed the life of one person in Pulaski County, and in Russell County, 93-year old Debra Edelman died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after her power was knocked out by the severe weather.

Emergency crews and volunteers remain on the ground across southern Kentucky, working to clear debris, assist survivors, and assess the damage. Governor Andy Beshear has said the Commonwealth is applying for federal disaster assistance and is asking Kentuckians to continue supporting their neighbors during this difficult time.