A destructive tornado ripped through Somerset, KY, on May 17, 2025, damaging buildings severely and triggering emergency proclamations. The tornado occurred in the midst of a surge of intense storms sweeping the state. By the evening of Sunday, the twister destroyed everything in its path in Kansas and Oklahoma. All one could see around was dust, debris flowing through the air, and building material swept by the wind tail. As the tornado approached the residential areas, it seemed like it had sucked the electric supply within it.
Tornado Caught on Webcam at London-Corbin Airport
Only minutes after the Somerset tornado, a suspected second twister was seen in the area near London-Corbin Airport. The alleged twister was caught on the airport’s live webcam, but the feed went dark because of an outage. The twister can be seen advancing in the video moments before the loss of power.
Mass Casualty Event Declared in Somerset
Somerset was hit the hardest by the storm. Rumor has it, a mass casualty incident has been declared. The Somerset Mall area was the most affected. US27 has been closed between Bob Evans and Somerset Mall to facilitate rescue efforts.
Local Landmarks and Businesses Affected
Some landmarks and local businesses were damaged during the storm, including:
- South End Speedway
- Lutheran Church
- Baxter’s Coffee
- Hardee’s (south)
- A local theater
Debris and destruction are prevalent in the southern area of the city. In the images released by the authorities, debris, uprooted trees, downturned cars, and fallen buildings are evident. Additionally, the streets are filled with injured people, destroyed homes, and dead bodies, which aches the heart from the loss.
Somerset Fire Department Asks People to Avoid the Area
The Somerset Fire Department put out urgent alerts on Facebook. One of the alerts stated:
“The south side of the city has been affected by a suspected tornado. Crews are responding to weather-related damage at the Stoplight 22 location as well as Parkers Mill Road.”
They also added:
“Stay out of the tornado damage area!!! Don’t come out to sightsee now, the additional traffic is creating issues for our rescue units!!!”
Tornado Watch for Three States in Effect
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Tornado Watch 269, which is effective until 3:00 a.m. EDT Saturday for portions of:
- Kentucky: Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence
- Ohio: Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton
- West Virginia: Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Putnam, Cabell, Mason, Wayne
Cities under surveillance include Somerset, Ashland, Athens, Logan, Huntington, and Point Pleasant, among others.
Extent of Damage Still Being Assessed
Though comprehensive assessments are yet to be made, images from the scene indicate:
- Collapsed buildings
- Uprooted trees
- Power lines down
- Blocked roads
Emergency responders are still assessing the region and setting up search and rescue operations.
Residents Told to Remain Indoors
Officials continue to remind citizens to remain indoors, minimize travel, and refrain from interfering with rescue efforts. Since weather threats persist, caution is paramount. Moreover, not staying in cover will immediately risk their lives and their family’s lives because disaster spares no one. In the middle of a disaster as fatal as the havoc of winds, it is difficult to save yourself from the debris itself.
Somerset Community Starts on Road to Recovery
Somerset begins looking toward recovery and support now. Emergency responders are restoring power, clearing roads, and helping displaced residents. As cleanup efforts get underway, the community is still one of resilience and hope.
Total number of deaths reported due to the Somerset Tornado
As the spinning tornado went past the cities of the US, several people were swept by the strong winds. In Missouri and Southeastern Kentucky, approximately 25 deaths were reported after many people became victims of the natural disaster. If we break down the figures, around 18 deaths were recorded in Kentucky due to heavy winds from the spinning giant. Moreover, around 7 dead bodies were found in St. Louis, Missouri, after the incident destroyed human property.
Furthermore, Virginia City reported two deaths during the tornado havoc, after two trees fell on running vehicles. Most cities and states have suffered through huge property losses due to the upturned winds. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported in most cities after the winds calmed down. In Kentucky, 10 people were rushed to medical health camps, as they were fighting the battle of life and death. One more report came from Laurel County, which has borne a loss of seventeen innocent lives in this disaster.
Conclusion
All in all, this tornado was a huge setback for Somerset and its people. Much damage was done; however, Somerset is on their way to recovery. As a citizen, you must protect yourself and your family by following the protocols set by the authorities. In difficult times like now, the authorities can only reach out to you if you follow their instructions. Moreover, the rescue team is on high alert and assisting the people who need help. Citizens should be aware of the information released by the authorities so that in times of an extra hand, they can reach out to them in time.
