It has been six months since a powerful tornado tore through southern Kentucky in May.
The tornado touched down at 10:27 p.m. on May 16 and traveled nearly 60 miles before lifting at 11:56 p.m. It cut through Russell, Pulaski, and Laurel Counties, leaving a path about a mile wide.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was rated EF-4 with winds reaching about 170 miles per hour.
“It was one of the strongest tornadoes and also the deadliest to ever impact the Jackson NWS coverage area,” officials said.
Nineteen people were killed and many more were injured. Reports also showed that 817 homes were damaged in Laurel County alone, and more than 1,500 homes were affected across all three counties.
Six months later, residents, volunteers, and officials continue clearing debris and working to rebuild the community.
“To those affected by this weekend’s severe weather, our promise to you is the same one we’ve made to every family impacted by natural disasters these past few years,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a May Team Kentucky update. “We will rebuild every home and every life. We will keep showing up over and over. We will walk this road of recovery together.”
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