Salvation Army is out helping Kentuckians

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services teams are on the ground in Laurel and Pulaski counties this week, supporting families impacted by last weekend’s deadly tornadoes. Crews are serving hot meals, drinks, and snacks to storm survivors, while also offering emotional and spiritual support to those who have lost loved ones, homes, or…

Tree crashes through Laurel County home during Tuesday storms; no injuries reported

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Emergency crews responded to a close call Tuesday night after strong winds brought down a tree onto a home along Lawson Lane in Laurel County. First responders were called to the scene just before 10 p.m. and found that the tree had crashed through the roof of the house. Fortunately, everyone inside made…

Travel advisory in effect in Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A travel advisory is in effect Wednesday in Mount Vernon as city officials respond to storm-related road hazards. Officials say several roads are waterlogged, and reports of loose gravel and debris have been received across town following recent heavy rains. Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and avoid flooded…

Isolated showers today with cooler temps

With a low pressure to the north, we will have isolated shower chances today and tonight. Temperatures will be below average with highs near 70. Rain chances increase slightly Thursday as a shortwave sinks south, and highs dip to the low 60s. Friday and Saturday will be quiet and highs only peak in the mid 60s. Our next chance for…

Animal torture suspect due in court

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Pulaski County man accused of disturbing acts of animal abuse is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. According to court records, 22-year-old Zachary Rollins is facing charges of animal torture and is due for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Rollins was arrested on May 10 on Skyview Drive, after deputies responded…

Deadly tornado confirmed as EF-4

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The National Weather Service has officially rated the May 16 tornado that tore through Pulaski, Laurel, and Russell counties as an EF-4, confirming the storm packed maximum winds of 170 miles per hour and left a path of destruction more than 55 miles long. According to NWS officials in Jackson, the tornado was…

London, Somerset Lowe’s giving free tornado recovery supplies

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — In response to the recent tornado that devastated parts of southern Kentucky, Lowe’s is offering free cleaning supplies to help families with recovery and cleanup efforts. The company says buckets filled with essential recovery items will be available starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lowe’s locations in both London and Somerset. Each bucket includes…

Storms give way to cooler, unsettled weather mid to late week

Afternoon highs should remain below average the next several days

It was another active day across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, as strong to severe storms swept through the region once again. A potent low-pressure system and its trailing cold front triggered widespread thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, heavy rain, and even a few isolated tornadoes. With several rounds of downpours moving through, flash flooding was a concern…

Tornado survivors now brace for more severe storms

Residents still reeling from Friday’s destruction prepare for another round of potential dangerous weather

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Some Kentuckians are facing a brutal double threat: the devastation from Friday’s tornado—and the possibility of another storm on the horizon. In hard-hit neighborhoods, the wreckage is still fresh. Homes are shattered, lives are upended, and now communities are bracing for more potential severe weather. Jay Sagoo and Linda Jones say they’re lucky…

Mandatory evacuation issued for parts of Laurel County ahead of more storms

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear, along with county and city officials, has issued a mandatory evacuation order for two of the areas hardest hit by the May 16 tornado in Laurel County. The order applies to residents of the Sunshine Hill Subdivision and lanes off of Court Road, and will be in effect Tuesday from…

Laurel County schools end academic year early following tornado disaster

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Laurel County Public Schools has officially ended the 2024–2025 school year as of Friday, May 16, following the devastating tornado that impacted much of the community over the weekend. According to Superintendent Denise M. Griebel, district administrators have been in regular contact with the Kentucky Department of Education to determine the best course…

Volunteers help tornado victims in damaged neighborhoods

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — All across Laurel County, volunteers and organizations have set up centers for relief for tornado victims. Richard Webb with the First Presbyterian Church in London has been at the corner of a street in the Sunshine Hills Neighborhood handing out donations and supplies since Saturday morning. “We’ve been in several neighborhoods over…

Laurel and Pulaski County curfews in effect after tornado

SOMERSET, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — In the wake of Friday’s devastating tornado, officials in Pulaski and Laurel counties have enacted curfews to help ensure public safety as cleanup and recovery efforts continue. In Pulaski County, Judge Executive Marshall Todd has declared a nightly curfew for the Parkers Mill Road area and nearby side roads. The curfew is in effect…

Laurel County residents salvage valuables before next storm

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — New aerial video is shedding light on the devastating power of Friday night’s tornado, which tore through neighborhoods in Laurel County, leveling homes and scattering debris for miles. The destruction is widespread — with dozens, possibly hundreds, of homes destroyed and vehicles tossed across multiple counties. Families are now returning to what’s left,…

Gov. Beshear warns of N.O.A.A. weather radio outage

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — As Kentucky communities continue recovering from Friday’s deadly tornado outbreak, Governor Andy Beshear is warning residents of a NOAA weather radio outage—just as another round of severe storms approaches. In a message posted to Facebook, Beshear said a systems upgrade affecting NOAA and National Weather Service weather radios is currently underway and will continue…