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…

Knox County Schools dismiss early for severe weather threat

KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — With strong storms expected across the region, Knox County Public Schools will dismiss students early Tuesday as a precaution. According to the district, middle and high schools will dismiss at noon, followed by elementary schools shortly after. Officials say the decision was made in response to forecasts calling for severe weather later in…

Strong to severe storm chances on tap again for Tuesday

All severe weather modes are possible including a few tornadoes

After a much-needed stretch of dry, sunny weather over the weekend, Central and Eastern Kentucky finally had a chance to catch its breath. That break was especially important for Pulaski and Laurel Counties, where recovery and clean-up are underway following the destructive, deadly long-track tornado that tore through the area late Friday into early Saturday. Monday started on a calm…

Amid destruction, London community shows strength, resilience after tornado

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — In the aftermath of the powerful tornado that tore through parts of Laurel County, stories of destruction and heartbreak are being met with just as many examples of hope, resilience, and neighborly love. For longtime London resident Jeff Cornett, the storm turned his life upside down in an instant. “I’ve lived here for 40…

Kentucky National Guard rescues family dog

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Amid the widespread devastation left behind by a deadly tornado in Laurel County, a small moment of hope and compassion emerged — a family dog pulled from the rubble by Kentucky National Guard soldiers. According to the National Guard, members of the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry — known as the “Mountain Warriors” —…