London, Kentucky cleaning up damage while preparing for second round of storms

Residents of London are banding together in the aftermath of a devastating tornado that left homes destroyed and lives upended. Among those affected is William Wolfe, who searched through the remnants of his mother’s Sunshine Hills home, now reduced to rubble across the street from its foundation.“Right now, just looking for any personal belongings, anything of value,” Wolfe said.His mother was thrown from her home during the tornado and is currently in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit.“She doesn’t even know this happened. So, to be able to salvage at least something for her means a lot,” he said.Wolfe is not alone in his efforts. Volunteers from the community have stepped up to help, including Ethan Collier, a senior at North Laurel High School.“It’s just kind of like a sobering experience. So you don’t really think, hey, this could happen in my hometown,” Collier said.He shared the relief of finding a small but meaningful item — a purse that belonged to Wolfe’s mother.“Some of the people we were with found a purse of hers. And so that, you know, he’s real glad to have found that,” Collier said.The community is racing against time as another severe weather event looms. Residents, first responders, and volunteers are working tirelessly to prepare. The London-Corbin Airport has become a 24-hour hub for supplies and debris disposal.Volunteer Marie Maggard said, “They’re doing demolition out in the community, too, and they’re bringing everything here. And there, but, you know, dumping it, and they’re going to take care of it.”The tornado has highlighted the importance of supplies like totes and tarps, which are being distributed to protect belongings and assist those in need.Hobie Daugherty of the London Police Department emphasized the urgency.“One of the big needs that we needed earlier in the day was totes and tarps. And, you know, that’s not only just for here to protect what we have to give out, but that’s for those in the community that may need as well,” Daugherty said. As the community rallies together, the hope is that the incoming storm will be less severe. Collier reflected on how the disaster has disrupted his final year of high school.”Senior year, it’s just kind of… we got two weeks left. That could be over. Last day of senior year. And not even know it,” he said.Wolfe urged everyone to take the warnings seriously.“We’re not finished with the first round, but I just would ask everybody to take it seriously. Seek shelter again. Don’t blow it off,” he said.

LONDON, Ky. —

Residents of London are banding together in the aftermath of a devastating tornado that left homes destroyed and lives upended.

Among those affected is William Wolfe, who searched through the remnants of his mother’s Sunshine Hills home, now reduced to rubble across the street from its foundation.

“Right now, just looking for any personal belongings, anything of value,” Wolfe said.

His mother was thrown from her home during the tornado and is currently in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit.

“She doesn’t even know this happened. So, to be able to salvage at least something for her means a lot,” he said.

Wolfe is not alone in his efforts. Volunteers from the community have stepped up to help, including Ethan Collier, a senior at North Laurel High School.

“It’s just kind of like a sobering experience. So you don’t really think, hey, this could happen in my hometown,” Collier said.

He shared the relief of finding a small but meaningful item — a purse that belonged to Wolfe’s mother.

“Some of the people we were with found a purse of hers. And so that, you know, he’s real glad to have found that,” Collier said.

The community is racing against time as another severe weather event looms. Residents, first responders, and volunteers are working tirelessly to prepare. The London-Corbin Airport has become a 24-hour hub for supplies and debris disposal.

Volunteer Marie Maggard said, “They’re doing demolition out in the community, too, and they’re bringing everything here. And there, but, you know, dumping it, and they’re going to take care of it.”

The tornado has highlighted the importance of supplies like totes and tarps, which are being distributed to protect belongings and assist those in need.

Hobie Daugherty of the London Police Department emphasized the urgency.

“One of the big needs that we needed earlier in the day was totes and tarps. And, you know, that’s not only just for here to protect what we have to give out, but that’s for those in the community that may need as well,” Daugherty said.

As the community rallies together, the hope is that the incoming storm will be less severe. Collier reflected on how the disaster has disrupted his final year of high school.

“Senior year, it’s just kind of… we got two weeks left. That could be over. Last day of senior year. And not even know it,” he said.

Wolfe urged everyone to take the warnings seriously.

“We’re not finished with the first round, but I just would ask everybody to take it seriously. Seek shelter again. Don’t blow it off,” he said.