Major Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran of the Laurel County Fire Department, was tragically killed while responding to a fire alarm when the tornado touched down.

Laurel County Deputy fire Chief Terry Wattenbarger describes the moments leading up to the death of Maj. Leslie Roger Leatherman during the tornado on Friday, May 16, 2025. The community where Leatheman lives was completely destroyed.

Two days after deadly tornadoes tore through southern Kentucky, devastated communities are beginning the painful process of picking up the pieces.

The EF-3 tornado touched down in Somerset, Pulaski County, before wreaking havoc across the region, including London.

As recovery efforts continue, emergency management teams are conducting damage assessments to help Kentucky qualify for federal disaster assistance.

The community of Laurel County, Kentucky, is grieving the loss of more than a dozen people, including a firefighter who spent nearly four decades helping others, after a tornado destroyed his neighborhood while he was on duty.

The family said they'd come to assume the cat was gone until someone heard a faint meow from the destroyed house.

The Salvation Army’s Louisville Area Command sent more support to Laurel and Pulaski counties after a tornado ripped through the area. The organization had 'boots on the ground' quickly. They loaded their mobile catering truck, rapid response unit, with supplies to continue helping those in need.