After a deadly severe weather event impacted the region during the overnight hours Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear visited London Saturday afternoon to survey damage in the hardest-hit areas and offer updates on the ongoing search and recovery efforts.
Beshear was accompanied by other local and state-level officials during his visit, which included a public address at the National Guard Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) that is located adjacent to the Corbin-London Airport.
Beshear described the storm that hit London as a “severe, significant tornado,” and while he said an official rating has yet to be provided, he did confirm that the storm received a rating of EF3 as it moved through areas of Pulaski County en route Laurel County.
Beshear said the destruction in London was difficult to look at, with many houses being completely leveled without a single wall left standing.
Currently, Beshear is reporting that a total of 18 Kentuckians have lost their lives as a result of Friday night’s severe weather event, with one person being confirmed dead in Pulaski County and the remaining 17 being from Laurel County. He said that additional deaths could be possible as search and recovery efforts continue.
Among those deceased in Laurel County is Major Leslie Roger Leatherman of the Laurel County Fire Department, who Beshear said had been in public service for just under four decades. A Facebook post by the Laurel County Fire Department earlier this afternoon announced that Leatherman was “fatally injured during his response to the devastating tornado in Laurel County overnight.”
The post went on to say that Leatherman’s courage, commitment and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Beshear said that he wanted to make sure that everyone in the affected communities know that their state, county, city and federal governments are “here with them,” and that they are “not going anywhere.”
Beshear explained that a state of emergency issued by his office ahead of Friday’s storms allowed for the pre-positioning of certain assets, and he informed the public that his office has made an official request for a federal disaster declaration.
Beshear called this one of the worst weather-related events that he has witnessed during his tenure as governor before reiterating that applications will be submitted for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid.
As for what is happening on the ground currently in Laurel County, Beshear said that efforts are being centered on continuing to search for and rescue anyone who might still be in danger. He said medical personnel are also continuing to tend to those who are injured, saying at least ten people are still listed in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon.
Beshear said there will also be a focus on re-opening any roadways that are still blocked by debris, as well as continuing to address any remaining power outages in the area.
Beshear directed anyone trying to locate a loved one to make their way to Faith Assembly of God Church in London. Anyone not able to travel can call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross.
Finally, Beshear echoed the sentiments of law enforcement and other emergency personnel in urging citizens to not go near areas where search and recovery efforts are still ongoing in order to avoid creating more potentially dangerous situations.
If you would like to help, please reach out to local church organizations, many of whom are collecting supplies to donate to the relief effort. Several other individuals, businesses and nonprofit groups are doing the same, and have posted information to their social media accounts about how to donate. The News Journal has shared many of these posts throughout the day, including a post by the Laurel County Health Department that contains a link with detailed information on confirmed drop-off locations in the local area.
