Family pinned under debris survives tornado that leveled home in Laurel County

LONDON, Ky. (WDRB) -- Survivors of severe weather in eastern Kentucky have begun the long process of recovery after a deadly tornado hit the area.

The National Weather Service's preliminary investigation shows a possible EF3 tornado with 140 mph winds hit Laurel County. At least 19 people in Kentucky have died from the severe weather, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. 

Monday in London, Rita Fletcher's family and volunteers were picking up the pieces left from Friday night's storm. The family's home was picked up and thrown across the street when a tornado ripped through the area, destroying everything they own.

"I got all the kids in there and I turned around to close the door and I didn’t have time to close the door," she said. "I just felt a huge impact, and it pushed me down to the floor face first, and my hot water heater right there fell on top of my back. I was pinned in. My 15-year-old daughter, she got her brother and sisters first and then pulled me out from under that."

Fletcher's father and mother, Sandy Farler, were also in the home.

"We were flying around. Like, we eternally flying, I don’t think it was ever going to stop," Farler said. "I was screaming 'God, make it stop! God, make it stop!'"

Farler and her husband found themselves alive but they were pinned under debris after the tornado hit.

"I thought we were going to die," Farler said. "The rest of my grandkids were in there. I could hear them say 'Granny, talk to us! Granny, talk to us! Granny, please don’t quit talking!'"

Fletcher and her four children, all 15 years old or younger, were able to uncover the Farlers. They walked away with bruises and cuts.

"I feel so blessed God spared us our live," Fletcher said. "All of us, there was seven of us in that house.”

But not everyone on the street survived. Their neighbors are two of at least 17 people who died in Laurel County. There are also 10 people from Laurel County who sustained critical injuries.

It's a heartbreaking reality for Farler, who called the two neighbors close friends.

"They're in heaven," Farler said. "To think I'll never come on the porch and they're hollering 'Hi neighbor!' and me hollering 'Hi neighbor!'"

The NWS will survey the damage for several more days, but there's a threat for more storms in the coming days. The NWS also confirmed a preliminary EF2, possibly low end EF3 tornado hit near the Russell County and Pulaski County border.

Top Stories:

Preliminary investigation shows possible EF3 tornado tore through Laurel County, NWS says

Louisville restaurant on Eastern Parkway closing after 96 years

Man arrested after allegedly setting fires, throwing vases at Louisville police in standoff

Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.