It's been one year since an EF4 tornado devastated parts of southern Kentucky in May 2025, killing at least 19 people.
The storm also destroyed businesses and homes in London, Somerset and surrounding areas, leaving residents to rebuild in the aftermath.
For the first anniversary of the tornado, WEKU — in collaboration with its partners through the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom — produced a series of stories about that harrowing night and the year that followed.
'Day of Remembrance' in London
Laurel County and its largest city, London, were among the hardest hit by the tornado, killing 17 people and leveling neighborhoods.
Community members gathered at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School on May 16 for a "Day of Remembrance" honoring those who died one year ago.
WEKU's Shepherd Snyder joined them to reflect on the progress they've made in recovery, including updates on disaster relief funding and ideas to keep residents safe during future storms.
Increased demand for basements, storm shelters
The Sunshine Hills neighborhood sits just a half-mile away from Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School. Though the school was spared, wind speeds of up to 170 mph wiped out homes in the neighborhood.
Kentucky Public Radio's Justin Hicks noticed a common concern that's emerged as residents rebuild: the lack of safe places to ride out storms as Tornado Alley shifts east. Now, homebuilders are seeing an influx in demand for basements and storm shelters.
Rebuilding a local church and electric co-op
In nearby Somerset, the tornado's impact largely comprised structural damage. That included the destruction of Redeemer Lutheran Church and South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative's headquarters.
One year after the storm, WEKU's Curtis Tate reports the church has since been rebuilt and the co-op will soon finish its new headquarters.
Effects on threatened orchid species
Last year, researchers in Mount Victory published a report about their success in restoring the white fringeless orchid — a threatened species of flower native to the region. About two weeks later, the tornado swept through the research site just west of the Daniel Boone National Forest, downing trees and making access difficult.
WEKU's Lily Burris journeyed there to discuss how the restoration team got back to work and what they can learn from the ecosystem's response to natural disasters.
This series was produced by the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, a collaboration between West Virginia Public Broadcasting, WPLN and WUOT in Tennessee, LPM, WEKU, WKMS and WKU Public Radio in Kentucky, and NPR. Sign up for the weekly Porch Light newsletter here for news from around the region.
