Kentucky faced storms and celebrated wins in a defining 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) — Kentucky experienced a turbulent 2025 marked by severe weather, political shifts and tragic violence, while also finding reasons to celebrate through sports achievements and strong community spirit.

Top 10 most impactful stories of 2025

Based on viewer voting, the stories that most shaped Kentucky in 2025 included:

• Southern Kentucky Tornado — A deadly EF4 tornado tore through Somerset and London on May 16, killing 19 people and injuring 108 others along a 60-mile path.

• UPS Flight Crashes — UPS Flight 2976 crashed during takeoff in Louisville after an engine separated from the aircraft.

• Lexington Mass Shooting — Guy House, 47, shot a state trooper during a traffic stop near Blue Grass Airport, then killed two people at a church on Old Richmond Road before law enforcement shot him.

• Doug Harless Death — London police shot and killed Doug Harless, 63, at his home on Dec. 23, 2023, while attempting to serve a search warrant at the wrong address, sparking protests and a lawsuit.

• Government Shutdown — Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation, triggering the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

• District Financial Fallout — Fayette County Public Schools faced scrutiny over spending practices, leading to calls for leadership resignations.

• Volleyball Team in Final Four — UK’s volleyball team reached the NCAA Final Four and finished as national runner-up.

• February Flooding — Heavy rain from February 15–16 caused widespread flooding across Kentucky, leading to more than 1,000 water rescues.

• Mitch McConnell Bows Out — Kentucky’s senior senator announced he would not seek re-election, ending decades of influence in Washington.

• Spring Storms Prompt More Flooding — Repeated storms from April 1–6 caused historic river flooding and killed seven people statewide.

Weather disasters dominated the year

The year began with back-to-back winter storms that pushed temperatures down to minus-4 degrees on Jan. 22.

February delivered the first major flooding disaster. Prolonged heavy rain during the weekend of February 15–16 caused widespread flooding across Kentucky, with rainfall totals ranging from 2 to 6 inches. The heaviest rain fell from Friday night, February 14, through Saturday, February 15.

The National Weather Service issued 30 flood warnings and 47 flash flood warnings during the February event. The Weather Prediction Center issued a rare High Risk for Excessive Rainfall on February 15. At least a dozen river sites recorded preliminary crests within the top five on record. Flooding forced more than 300 road closures, left over 40,000 people without power and led to more than 1,000 water rescues. A hospital, nursing home and apartment complex evacuated, and the Weather Forecast Office in Jackson sheltered in place on generator power after floodwaters cut off its exit route.

Spring brought another deadly weather disaster. From April 1–6, repeated rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms affected the lower Ohio Valley. Severe storms produced several tornadoes on April 2, but flash flooding became the larger threat as storms repeatedly moved over the same areas overnight. Daily waves of rain continued until April 6, causing widespread flash and areal flooding.

The April flooding killed seven people statewide, including three in central Kentucky. Numerous roads closed across multiple counties, including major highways. Water rescues occurred across the region, especially in central Kentucky, while mudslides and landslides followed the excessive rainfall.

Moderate to major river flooding impacted most area rivers. The hardest-hit basins included the Kentucky, Green, Rough, Rolling Fork and Ohio rivers. Some crests reached historic levels, including a new record at Camp Nelson on the Kentucky River and the second-highest crest on record at Frankfort. The Ohio River crest at McAlpine Upper ranked eighth all time.

The May 16 tornado became the deadliest single weather event of the year. The EF4 tornado stayed on the ground for nearly an hour and a half late in the evening, devastating parts of Somerset and London. The National Weather Service in Jackson rated the damage as EF4 as part of a major tornado outbreak spanning May 15–16.

Violence shook communities

The Lexington mass shooting on a Sunday morning ranked among the year’s most shocking crimes. The incident began around 11:40 a.m. when a Kentucky State Police trooper stopped Guy House, 47, near Blue Grass Airport after a license plate alert flagged his vehicle. House shot the trooper and fled.

After shooting the trooper, House forcibly stole a vehicle and traveled to a church on Old Richmond Road. There, he shot four people, killing 72-year-old Beverly Gumm and 32-year-old Christina Combs. Law enforcement shot and killed House at the scene.

The Doug Harless case continued to spark outrage throughout 2025. Harless, 63, died after London police officers shot him on Dec. 23, 2023, while attempting to serve a search warrant. Officers were looking for stolen lawn equipment at 489 Vanzant Road but went to 511 Vanzant Road, where Harless lived.

Nearly a dozen officers surrounded the home just before midnight. Surveillance video showed officers knocking, announcing themselves as police and then forcing entry. Kentucky State Police said officers saw Harless with a gun and opened fire. The gunshots struck his head, heart, right lung, aorta and pulmonary artery.

Harless’ family filed a lawsuit against the City of London, the London Police Department and nine officers. The community held regular protests and vigils demanding justice. Kentucky State Police referred the case to a special prosecutor to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Political changes reshaped the landscape

Sen. Mitch McConnell’s retirement announcement on his 83rd birthday marked the close of a long chapter in Kentucky politics. The longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history said he will not seek an eighth term and will retire when his current term ends in January 2027.

McConnell, first elected in 1984, shared the decision in a speech on the Senate floor. He said representing Kentucky had been “the honor of a lifetime” while noting unfinished work he plans to complete before leaving office.

The announcement immediately set off a competitive Republican primary race.

McConnell’s departure also reflected shifting dynamics within the Trump-led Republican Party. Known for traditional conservative positions and a strong foreign policy stance, McConnell increasingly clashed with Trump’s populist movement. Their relationship deteriorated after McConnell blamed Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Sports provided bright moments

UK’s volleyball run ranked among the year’s top highlights, while the basketball team advanced past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Sovereignty became the first horse since Justify in 2018 to win two legs of the American Triple Crown.

UK also hired former University of Louisville quarterback Will Stein as its new head football coach.

Across the state, communities responded to disasters with volunteer efforts, opening shelters and organizing relief drives. Residents raised funds and shared meals with neighbors affected by storms and flooding, reflecting resilience during a challenging year.