A violent tornado tore through Kentucky last week, shredding homes with 170 mph winds and carving a deadly path of destruction that stretched for days.
The damage was so extensive that satellites orbiting more than 300 miles above Earth could see the trail from space.
Long stretches of what were once neighborhoods now appear as bare earth and splintered wood.
Roofs are gone, homes flattened, and debris scattered across wide swaths of land.
The tornado, nearly a mile wide at its peak, stayed on the ground for approximately 83 minutes, traveling more than 55 miles.
At least 19 people were killed, with the town of London in Laurel County suffering the worst of the storm’s wrath.
The multi-day severe weather outbreak is estimated to have caused between $9 billion and $11 billion in total damage and economic losses.
In a public statement, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said: ‘I promise that we will be there for our people until every home and every life is rebuilt.
‘And I want to thank all our heroic first responders for the work they’ve done over the past few days.
‘This is another incredibly tough time for Kentucky. And it’s another reminder that life is short, and it’s our duty to be kind and do good. As always — we will get through this together.’
Before and after images of the devastation were provided by SkyFi/Vexcel.
The tornado’s path began in Russell County and moved eastward, intensifying as it passed through Pulaski County and into Laurel County.
It reached peak intensity in London before weakening and dissipating near Lida.
But as families mourn and dig through the debris, frustration is mounting.
Five days after the deadly tornadoes, the federal government has yet to arrive.
Jeff Wyatt’s home of 17 years was destroyed along with much of his neighborhood in London, Kentucky.
Wyatt, his wife and two of their children scarcely made it to safety in a hallway while the roof and family room were ripped away.
Long stretches of what were once neighborhoods now appear as bare earth and splintered wood
On Sunday, the family returned to the wrecked home to collect photos, baby blankets and other keepsakes.
Governor Beshear formally requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump, which would trigger assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Yet no federal aid had reached the ground. Residents and local leaders criticized the delay as communities struggled without basic services.
Among the many horrifying and heartbreaking stories emerging from the aftermath is that of Tara Hollifield, who clawed her way through debris to save her two-year-old son, Parker.
When the EF-4 tornado leveled her home, she couldn’t see him, but she could hear his cries.
Nathan Anders stands in the remnants of his home as his relative, Raymond Samples, sits on his sofa after a tornado hit
Edwina Wilson stands in what is left of her destroyed home, after a severe storm passed through the area.
An EF-4 tornado, classified on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, is considered violent, with wind speeds between 166 and 200 miles per hour. It’s capable of destroying entire neighborhoods.
‘I heard him crying, and that’s how I was able to find him, thankfully,’ Hollifield told FOX Weather.
Although both survived, the events of that night replay in Hollifield’s mind every day.
Just a few miles away, a love story turned into a nightmare. Paul and Gail Cline , a married couple from London, each lost an arm while clinging to each other as the tornado tore through their home.
Among the many horrifying and heartbreaking stories emerging from the aftermath is that of Tara Hollifield, who clawed her way through debris to save her two-year-old son, Parker
An American flag is pictured among the debris in the Sunshine Hills neighborhood
Paul is recovering, but Gail suffered broken ribs, liver and lung damage, and required staples in her head.
The couple’s nieces, Brandy Bowman and Taylor Baker, spoke to FOX Weather, sharing the harrowing details of that night.
‘They were actually holding—like hugging each other,’ Bowman said, her voice filled with emotion. ‘We’re not sure what fell on them, but it just completely took their arms off.’
The storm also claimed the life of 57-year-old firefighter Leslie Leatherman, who died shielding his wife from flying debris.
Satellite images captured on May 20 by Chinese company MizarVision reveal a stark trail of destruction left behind by the powerful EF-4 tornado that tore through London
At least 19 people were killed, with the town of London in Laurel County suffering the worst of the storm’s wrath
The London-Corbin Airport suffered significant damage, with several hangars and aircraft, including a medical helicopter, destroyed.
The destruction raised concerns about emergency medical services, as the airport served as a critical hub for medical transport.
According to 2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, as the twister tore westward through the town of approximately 7,500 residents, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble.
In the immediate aftermath, the community came together, with hundreds of volunteers helping clean up and provide aid to those affected.
The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch earlier in the day, but due to service outages, some residents, like Hollifield, did not receive the alerts.
Local and state officials continue coordinating relief efforts, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in the face of increasingly severe weather events.
As Kentucky mourns the lives lost and supports those affected, the stories of survival and heroism stand as a testament to the strength and unity of its communities.
