In the late evening of May 16, 2025, a large and deadly nocturnal EF4 tornado moved through the western Cumberland Plateau, impacting the Kentucky cities of Somerset and London. The tornado, which was on the ground for almost an hour and a half, killed 18 people and injured 108 others along a 60 mi (97 km) track. It was the second tornado that day rated EF4 by the National Weather Service, with the first one occurring hours prior in Illinois as part of a major tornado outbreak in mid-May.
The supercell that produced this tornado initiated over 400 miles (640 km) away in the south-central Missouri Ozarks region. The supercell produced few tornadoes along its track through Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, including a small but intense EF3 tornado that brought destructive impacts to the area south of the village of Blodgett: several homes suffered major damage, mobile homes were destroyed, and trees were snapped. Two fatalities occurred and ten others were injured. Afterwards, the supercell crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. The supercell produced a brief EF1 tornado near Lamasco and an EF2 tornado near Allegre, damaging or destroying several mobile homes and outbuildings. After the London tornado dissipated, the supercell eventually got absorbed into the mesoscale convective system.
The tornado first touched down in central Russell County, initially causing minor damage to trees and infrastructure before quickly intensifying to EF3 strength, inflicting major damage to a home near Whittle. The tornado weakened and shrunk after crossing into Pulaski County. After crossing Lake Cumberland, the tornado struck the southern side of Somerset at low-end EF3 intensity, inflicting severe to major damage to several homes and businesses. After leaving the city, the tornado tore through parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest at mid-range EF3 to low-end EF4 intensity, shredding and snapping several trees and destroying a couple of homes as the tornado entered Laurel County. The tornado then impacted the southern side of London at low-end EF4 intensity, inflicting catastrophic destruction to several homes, neighborhoods, and industrial buildings, resulting in several fatalities. The tornado dissipated shortly after near the community of Lida. The tornado was on the ground for 90 minutes and tracked for 60 miles (97 km).
Recovery efforts immediately following the tornado were intensive, with several aid organizations, including The Salvation Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, traveling to London with relief supplies. Following the tornado, media outlets claimed National Weather Service office in Jackson, Kentucky was understaffed due to the staffing cuts made by Department of Government Efficiency, although the office was fully staffed at the same time of the tornado.
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