LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An EF2 tornado tore through Washington County, Ky., last Friday, killing one person and injuring several others -- and some residents say there was no warning.
Days after the twister struck, residents near Springfield are still picking up the pieces. One of those residents is Lashana Gibson, who says "they had no warning -- nothing" before the tornado hit.
An emergency text alert about the storms was sent at 6:49 a.m., Washington County Judge-Executive Timothy Graves said during Friday's briefing. When asked why warning sirens weren't activated, Graves said there are "no sirens in this part of the county."
He said the sirens are in more heavily populated areas, like downtown Springfield.
Officials believe the tornado touched down around 7 a.m. During a news briefing Friday afternoon, Emergency Management Director Kevin Devine said the first calls about storm damage came in around 11 minutes later.
Gibson said she only learned about the tornadoes after receiving a phone call from a friend who told her "there was a tornado that just came through here, and your mom’s house is in our front yard."
Although emergency alerts were sent to cell phones via a LENS alert, people have to be signed up to receive those messages.
Gibson said she and her mom are both registered for those alerts but did not receive them.
"Mom said she didn't receive nothing," Gibson said. "She said they heard the wind and knew exactly what it was so they had do take shelter."
Gibson's mom and stepfather were found lying next to each other.
IMAGES | Severe tornado damage, multiple injuries reported throughout Washington County
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported severe tornado damage and multiple injuries throughout Washington County on Friday. (Photo from Washington County Sheriff's Department Facebook page) May 30, 2025
"I tried my best to get over here as fast as I could," Gibson said. "They loaded her up and finally called me and said 'she's safe.' They were headed to the hospital and said she was in bad condition. But Ronnie has passed away."
Now, the family is trying to rebuild while mourning the loss of a loved one and wondering if things could have turned out differently if there had been more warning.
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