Families hunkered down in their bathrooms and emerged to find their homes gone when a deadly tornado barreled through the community of London, Kentucky, on Friday, leaving behind only foundations

The community of Laurel County, Kentucky, is grieving the loss of more than a dozen people, including a firefighter who spent nearly four decades helping others, after a tornado destroyed his neighborhood while he was on duty.

A reported tornado claimed lives in Laurel County, causing destruction and displacing many. Shelters are open and efforts are underway to help those affected.

The EF-3 tornado touched down in Somerset, Pulaski County, before wreaking havoc across the region, including London.

WHAS11 visited the devastation in Laurel County following a destructive tornado that tore across the city of London on May 16.

Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear remembered 19 people killed by a tornado that ripped through the state Friday as children of God and asked for prayers for others injured or displaced by the event

Laurel County officials say warm food and daily essentials are needed, but so are storage containers and an open heart for those who have lost everything.

Walmart is partnering with Operation BBQ Relief to provide free meals to those in need in the Kentucky counties impacted by the deadly tornado.

Rescue crews raced to search houses in a Laurel County subdivision, a few hours after brutal storms and an unconfirmed tornado devastated parts of the county.