The National Weather Service is surveying the area in south central Kentucky that was hit with a deadly tornado. According to the NWS, there was a preliminary EF-2 or possible low end EF-3 tornado that struck Pulaski and Russell counties along their border with each other.

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado that began in Kent County and ended in Ionia County on Thursday. (May 17, 2025)

There was a lot of straight-line wind action that did damage to homes, uprooted trees and downed power lines during the powerful storm that swept Michigan on Thursday night and Friday morning. But the National Weather Service says there were also several weak tornadoes spinning up along the storm’s leading edge.

The Jackson, Kentucky office is one of a growing number of forecast offices unable to cover an overnight shift since the Trump administration cut staffing levels through buyouts and firings.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that there were no problems with weather alerts after devastating tornadoes hit Kentucky Friday night.

The office in Jackson, Ky., is one of several left without an overnight forecaster after hundreds of jobs were recently cut from the National Weather Service.