Weather
Multiple fatalities reported in London, Kentucky from tornado
London, KY — A powerful tornado tore through Laurel County late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction and tragedy in its wake. Officials have confirmed multiple fatalities in the city of London as a result of the severe weather event.
According to the Mayor of London, several people lost their lives after the tornado struck key areas across the region, including the Sunshine Hills neighborhood, the London-Corbin Airport, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, and the Oaks of London subdivision.
Emergency responders quickly mobilized across the county as reports of significant damage and multiple injuries began pouring in.
Kentucky Highway 363 was temporarily shut down to allow for the safe evacuation of injured residents and to facilitate search-and-rescue operations in heavily impacted zones.
Search teams are currently combing through debris fields, particularly in residential areas where homes were severely damaged or completely destroyed.
The Sunshine Hills area, captured in harrowing video footage, appears to have sustained some of the most significant damage.
TORNADO PUMMELS LAUREL COUNTY
Several areas of Laurel County, including the Sunshine Hills area shown in this video, were struck by a tornado late Friday night. Multiple injuries have been reported. Ky. 363 is closed while the injured are evacuated and homes are searched. pic.twitter.com/nEeFkZBsso— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) May 17, 2025
“This is a heartbreaking night for our city,” the mayor stated. “Our emergency services are doing everything possible to help those in need and to assess the full scope of this disaster.”
Utility crews are also working to restore power in affected neighborhoods, and disaster response teams remain on the ground as the situation develops.
Residents are urged to stay off the roads to allow emergency vehicles access and to avoid any downed power lines or unstable structures.
Further details, including the identities of those who lost their lives, are being withheld pending family notifications.
Grief counseling and emergency shelter services are being coordinated for those displaced by the storm.
Authorities continue to monitor the region for additional severe weather threats and are asking anyone with information about missing individuals or damaged properties to contact Laurel County Emergency Management immediately.
This remains a developing story.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Emergency responders are working multiple rescue calls after a confirmed tornado touched down west of Bloomington and moved directly toward the city, prompting urgent shelter warnings across the region.
The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Clear Creek until 7:30 p.m. EST, describing the situation as particularly dangerous.
The tornado was confirmed on the ground approximately eight miles west of Bloomington and moving east at an estimated 40 miles per hour.
Authorities report that multiple homes have sustained significant damage, with early indications that several individuals may be trapped inside residences impacted by the storm.
Emergency crews are actively conducting search and rescue operations in affected neighborhoods.
Communities directly in the projected path included Bloomington, Ellettsville, the campus of Indiana University Bloomington, Solsberry, and Whitehall.
Meteorologists warned that the storm was capable of producing destructive winds and hail up to the size of ping pong balls. Officials emphasized that the tornado posed a serious threat to life and property.
Residents in the warned area were urged to seek shelter immediately — preferably in a basement or on the lowest level of a sturdy structure, inside an interior room away from windows.
Authorities stressed not to delay action while waiting for visual confirmation of the tornado.
Emergency management officials continue to monitor the storm’s track and assess damage. Additional updates are expected as response efforts continue and more information becomes available.