A powerful tornado struck rural Washington County, Kentucky, early Friday morning, killing one person and injuring at least seven others, according to local officials.
Emergency management director Kevin Devine said the storm hit two or three homes directly and caused serious damage to several others in the central Kentucky county of about 12,250 residents. Devastating images shared by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office showed scattered debris and an overturned vehicle.
Tragically, a 48-year-old man was confirmed dead, according to county coroner G. Len Benedict. Two of the injured residents were able to drive themselves to the hospital, while emergency crews worked to clear fallen trees blocking narrow roads to reach others.
One especially tense moment occurred when a 3-year-old child was reported missing. The child was eventually found and taken to a hospital. No update on the child’s condition has been released.
Complicating rescue efforts was the absence of a tornado siren system in the area. The first emergency call came in at about 7:10 a.m., after the tornado had already caused destruction.
Washington County also experienced flash flooding from heavy rainfall, temporarily closing several roads, though most had reopened by Friday afternoon.
“This is an isolated area, but it is total devastation,” said Judge Executive Timothy E. Graves. He noted that two homes with families inside were “just totally destroyed.”
Governor Andy Beshear postponed scheduled visits to other parts of Kentucky due to the storm and issued a call for prayers and vigilance: “Everyone, please stay weather aware today,” he said.
The National Weather Service has issued broader warnings across the southeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S., forecasting more severe storms, possible tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding from eastern Kentucky to southern New York.
Emergency crews continue cleanup and recovery efforts as the community reels from the destruction.