LONDON, Ky. (WKRC) — A powerful tornado tore through south-central Kentucky on Friday night, claiming the lives of at least 19 people, with 17 fatalities reported in Laurel County alone. The EF-3 tornado touched down in Somerset, Pulaski County, before wreaking havoc across the region, including London.

Jacob Jackson, who was at home with his grandmother near Old Whitley Road when the storm struck, said, "I couldn't be more grateful just to be standing here. Everything else, there's a lot of people around us that got hurt bad, so I just thank God, you know. He's really the only reason I'm standing here."

Nearby, Tina Carnes was on the phone with her family as the tornado hit.

"We've lost everything. We don't have clothes, we don't have shoes, we don't have food, we don't I mean we don't there's nothing. I just I don't know what to do," she said.

Her sister's mobile home across the street was completely destroyed.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear toured the damage in Laurel County by car and helicopter on Saturday. He noted that this is the 13th major weather disaster to hit the state during his tenure, including other tornadoes in 2021 and major flooding earlier this year.

"And we can't know why we keep getting hit over and over and over. Kentucky has gotten knocked down more times than just about anybody. We've gotten up every single time," Beshear said.

Governor Beshear also mentioned that he has been in contact with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and praised the efforts of state and federal emergency management leaders. He vowed to ensure survivors receive as much state and federal funding as possible.

One of the victims was a major in the Laurel County Fire Department, who was responding to the storm at the time. Gov. Beshear warned that the death toll could rise as some victims remain in critical condition.