• Tornado hits Kentucky – A deadly tornado struck Washington County, Kentucky, killing one and injuring at least 14 people as severe storms continue across the South. The event marked a significant moment when the tornado hits Kentucky with devastating results.
• Tennessee and Georgia also faced tornado damage, with multiple injuries and destroyed homes reported in both states.
• Weather officials warn of more severe storms and tornadoes in several eastern states, urging people to stay alert and follow safety updates.

A tornado hit Washington County, Kentucky, on Friday morning. It tore through a rural area and killed one person. At least 14 others got hurt. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the news on social media. He said three adults and one child remained in the hospital. Ten people got medical help and went home. Local officials said the tornado damaged two or three homes. It also knocked down trees and blocked roads. Emergency crews worked fast to clear the area. County officials felt lucky the tornado hit a remote part of the county. They said the damage could have been much worse in a more populated area.

Governor Warns of More Severe Storms in the State

Governor Beshear canceled his Friday visit to Pulaski and Laurel counties. Those counties were still recovering from an earlier incident where a tornado hits Kentucky, killing 19 people. Beshear warned that the weather system was still active. He said eastern and southeastern Kentucky could see more severe weather later in the day. He asked everyone to stay alert and watch for warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) backed up the governor’s warning. They issued tornado alerts for parts of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia. They also put a tornado watch in place for North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Weather Team Confirms Tornado Damage in Washington County

The National Weather Service sent a team to inspect the damage in Washington County. By noon Friday, they confirmed EF1 tornado damage in the southwestern part of the county. This investigation confirmed that when the tornado hits Kentucky, the impact was significant. The team followed the storm’s path and believed it might have crossed into nearby Mercer County. An EF1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph. That level of power can destroy roofs, break windows, and flip cars. Kevin Devine, Washington County’s Emergency Management Director, said no one expected a tornado Friday morning. The sheriff’s office asked people to stay off the roads. They needed room for first responders to work safely.

Tennessee Storm Also Brings Damage and Injuries

The same weather system caused damage in Tennessee. A tornado struck the Philadelphia area in Loudon County early Friday. The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office said several people got hurt. Later in the day, the NWS in Morristown confirmed an EF0 tornado touched down near the border of Loudon and Monroe counties. EF0 tornadoes are the weakest on the scale. They bring wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph. Even though they are weaker, they can still damage roofs, knock over trees, and injure people. Officials in Tennessee said emergency crews were helping those in need and cleaning up debris.

Georgia Tornado Critically Injures Actor’s Son

A day earlier, a tornado in Georgia caused major damage and nearly claimed a life. The tornado hit Locust Grove on Thursday afternoon. That town sits about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta. The storm reached wind speeds up to 135 mph. The NWS rated it an EF2 tornado. It damaged at least 12 homes in a quiet subdivision. One home was completely destroyed—except for a small closet on the first floor. The storm threw Malachi Chaney, the son of actor Tray Chaney, about 300 feet. It launched him from a second-story window into nearby woods. Emergency crews found him and rushed him to an Atlanta hospital. He now lies in critical condition in the ICU. Doctors say he has broken ribs and several facial fractures.

Tray Chaney Shares Emotional Message After Tornado

Tray Chaney, best known for his role in “The Wire,” posted a video after the storm. He said he suffered only a bruise on the head. But he wished he could trade places with his son. Malachi had just finished his first year at Savannah State University. Chaney said, “I wish he was the one that was doing the video, and I was still in the ICU.” He thanked doctors and emergency workers. He asked fans to pray for his son and everyone else hit by the tornado. News of Malachi’s injury shocked fans and friends. The family said they will stay by his side through recovery.

Georgia Faces Third Round of Tornadoes in One Week

This tornado was just one of many to hit Georgia this week. The state has seen three tornado outbreaks since Sunday. On Sunday, three tornadoes hit areas northwest of Atlanta. On Tuesday, three more touched down west of the city. The Locust Grove tornado on Thursday made it the third round of storms. Meteorologists said Thursday’s tornado formed from a weak thunderstorm. The storm showed only light rotation on radar. That’s why residents got no warning before the twister touched down. The tornado stayed on the ground for five minutes and traveled 1.8 miles. Along its path, it tore off roofs, blew out windows, and shredded siding. The worst damage happened at the Chaney home.