A powerful tornado tore through Pulaski and Laurel counties in Kentucky late Friday night (May 16, 2025), leaving significant destruction in Somerset. The storm caused extensive damage along US Route 27, impacting landmarks like Baxter’s Coffee and a Lutheran church, with social media footage showing debris and structural collapses . Emergency crews responded to reports of damage near Stoplight 22 and Parker’s Mill Road shortly after 11 p.m., coinciding with the tornado’s touchdown in Pulaski County .
Meteorologists confirmed the tornado traveled northeast at 45 mph, reaching Laurel County by 11:30 p.m. Authorities urged mobile home residents to evacuate immediately, while Laurel County officials reported destroyed buildings and multiple injuries . Kentucky State Police requested chainsaw donations to clear blocked roads, and the Somerset Fire Department warned against visiting damaged areas to avoid hindering rescue efforts .
Social media videos captured the tornado’s intensity, including a viral clip of wreckage along Highway 27 . No fatalities have been reported, but the storm’s aftermath remains under investigation.