LONDON, KENTUCKY — An EF-4 tornado struck parts of London, Kentucky, on the late evening of May 16, 2025, killing 20 people and destroying more than 800 homes. The tornado traveled a path of 55.6 miles and produced wind speeds of up to 170 miles per hour.

A majority of the Sunshine Hills neighborhood was among the areas destroyed. The tornado lifted the family home of a lifelong London resident from its foundation while she and her daughters were inside. Three-fourths of her neighborhood remains displaced, and she is still displaced.

"We are hurting. This town is devastated, I have never seen anything like this, the first responders have never seen anything this bad. It's really, really bad." said Heather Lynn, a London resident.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear pledged a long-term commitment to recovery efforts in the community. "We are going to be here for this community today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and the years to come to help people rebuild." Beshear said.

Volunteers and community members provided assistance in London for weeks and months after the tornado. John Tuttle, pastor of West London Baptist Church, described his motivation for joining the response. "Everybody knows everybody and we know friends and family and coworkers and things like that, that are hurting and I'm not. It's my responsibility to help." Tuttle said.

The recovery effort has continued in the months since the tornado. Displaced residents have remained unable to return to their homes as reconstruction work proceeds across the affected neighborhoods.