LONDON, KY (May 18, 2025, 11:45 PM EDT) – A devastating EF-4 tornado tore through London, Kentucky, late Friday night, May 16, 2025, leaving widespread destruction, but the home of local builder Christopher Curry and his family in Findley Trailer Park stood untouched after their daring escape.
Two TikTok videos recorded by Curry, son of ClayCoNews’s editor, and posted by JerseyBull captured their ordeal, inspiring the community where Curry runs his construction business, IGottaGuyKY. Now back in their generator-powered home, the Currys spent Sunday aiding authorities with cleanup, the family returned home late Saturday night to guard against looting.
The Currys had fled their Findley Trailer Park home late Friday night, first seeking refuge at a business on U.S. 25 south of London, then racing south on Hwy 25 toward Corbin around 11:00 PM EDT as the tornado closed in. The first TikTok video shows their return to Findley Trailer Park, where their trailer remained intact amid obliterated surroundings. “It’s a miracle. Everything around us is gone, but our home’s still standing,” Christopher Curry said, standing among debris. Watch the return video here: https://www.tiktok.com/@jett_2021/video/7505325027626208542.
The second TikTok video, updated for impact, recorded by Christopher Curry inside their vehicle, captures the tornado’s chilling roar as they fled, with a photo of their escape highlighting community devastation (Photo courtesy of Christopher Curry). Watch the updated fleeing video here: https://www.tiktok.com/@jett_2021/video/7505395118099238175.
Returning hours later, they found the U.S. 25 business destroyed, yet their home unscathed. On Saturday, Christopher Curry aided cleanup and set up a generator before dark. By Sunday, the family had returned to their home, using the generator for power, and spent the day assisting the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, and National Guard with cleanup and support tasks. Concerned about looting, after the generator was up and running the Currys returned home late Saturday night. Follow Curry’s construction work at IGottaGuy.
The tornado, part of a 500-mile-long supercell, hit Laurel County at approximately 11:49 PM on May 16, 2025, devastating London’s south side, home to about 8,500 residents. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the storm as an EF-4 tornado with winds up to 200 mph, killing at least 19 people statewide—17 in Laurel County, one in Pulaski County, and one in Russell County—as of Sunday afternoon, per Governor Andy Beshear. London Mayor Randall Weddle reported up to 23 deaths in Laurel County, pending verification by the Department for Public Health. Over a dozen people remain in critical condition, and the death toll may rise. Laurel County firefighter Major Roger Leslie Leatherman died responding to storm damage, a profound community loss.
Community Recovery Efforts
The London-Corbin Airport was obliterated, with medical helicopters destroyed and reports of aircraft caught in a funnel cloud. Neighborhoods like Findley Trailer Park, Sunshine Hills, and Oaks of London subdivision were reduced to rubble, with rescuers facing “horrific” conditions. In Somerset, Pulaski County, a mass casualty event was declared, with damage to businesses like South End Speedway and Baxter’s Coffee. U.S. 27 remains closed from Bob Evans to Somerset Mall, and KY 363 in Laurel County is closed for evacuations. Power outages, peaking at over 100,000 statewide, have left approximately 30,000 without power as of Sunday evening, per utility reports.
Looting has become a significant issue in areas like Sunshine Hills, prompting heightened patrols by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, and 70 National Guardsmen, as confirmed by Governor Beshear and Sheriff John Root.
“If you try to loot, we will arrest you. That is the lowest of low crimes,” Sheriff John Root said, emphasizing protection for survivors like the Currys. Residents should report suspicious activity to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office at (606) 864-6600.
South Laurel High School serves as a warming, first-aid, and food station but has reached donation capacity; additional supplies should go to First Baptist Church (804 W. Fifth Street, London), Hart Baptist Church, Victory Life Church, or other shelters. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office offers a housing assistance hotline at (606) 521-3119, and WD Bryant Ace in London provides free ice, water, and charging stations. The Salvation Army delivers hot meals and emotional support. Faith Assembly of God (390 Faith Assembly Church Road, London) hosts KSP and Sheriff’s Office staff assisting with missing persons; those unable to travel can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), option 4. Clay County residents can donate supplies or volunteer through local churches. Emotional support is available via the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990.
Governor Andy Beshear, who surveyed Laurel County on Saturday, called this the 14th federally declared disaster of his tenure, with a major disaster declaration request under review. FEMA teams are assessing damage, with initial relief funds expected by Tuesday, May 20, 2025, if approved, per Beshear’s coordination with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. If declared, residents can apply for FEMA aid at DisasterAssistance.gov or 800-621-3362 for temporary housing, home repairs, or personal property losses for uninsured losses, potentially aiding Findley Trailer Park residents, though Curry’s undamaged home may limit his eligibility. Without a declaration, residents can access SBA disaster loans at sba.gov/disaster or 800-659-2955, or donate to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund at http://TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov. The NWS’s EF-4 confirmation underscores the storm’s severity, far surpassing the EF-1 tornado in Corbin in May 2024.
Last Update (as of 11:45 PM EDT, May 18, 2025):
- Laurel County Damage: At least 17 deaths are confirmed, with ongoing searches in Findley Trailer Park, Sunshine Hills, and Oaks of London subdivision. Ky. 363 remains closed.
- Somerset Impact: One death in Pulaski County, with U.S. 27 closed and a state of emergency in effect.
- Russell County: One death reported, raising the statewide toll to 19, per Governor Beshear.
- Road Closures: Whitley Street, Ky. 363, Hwy 1642 near RECC, and U.S. 27 in Somerset are closed.
- Community Response: Shelters are open at First Baptist Church, Hart Baptist Church, Victory Life Church, and South Laurel High School Gym. Report missing persons at Faith Assembly of God or 1-800-RED-CROSS, option 4.
- Curry Family Status: Christopher Curry and his family are back in their Findley Trailer Park home, using a generator for power. They spent Sunday aiding the Sheriff’s Office, KSP, and National Guard with cleanup and support tasks. Due to looting concerns, once the generator was up and running, they returned home late Saturday night.
- Looting Concerns: Sheriff’s Office, KSP, and National Guard patrols are addressing looting in hard-hit areas; report suspicious activity to (606) 864-6600.
- Death Toll: Gov. Beshear confirmed 19 deaths statewide, though Mayor Weddle’s report of up to 23 in Laurel County awaits verification.
The two TikTok videos by JerseyBull, recorded by Christopher Curry, have inspired widespread support for London’s recovery, with the family’s resilience offering hope amid tragedy. Residents are urged to avoid damaged areas to ensure safety during cleanup.
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