According to the posts, the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, championed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, cut the area's tornado warning systems as part of cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a powerful EF-4 tornado tore through southern Kentucky on Friday night, devastating communities across multiple counties.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, officials said the tornado that traveled between Pulaski and Laurel counties was an EF-4 with peak winds of 170 mph. It was on the ground for more than 55 miles and was nearly a mile wide at its maximum width.

The NWS in Jackson, KY, said the track for the tornado in Russell, Pulaski and Laurel Counties was 55.6 miles long with a maximum width of 1700 yards, which is almost one mile.

Areas in Laurel County that were impacted by a tornado late May 16 will be evacuated during the evening hours of May 20 ahead of more severe storms are set to move into the area, state and local officials announce during a news conference.

Due to staffing shortages, the National Weather Service in Jackson no longer has overnight staff. But NWS and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear say the office was staffed Friday night and early Saturday.

In London, Ky., the scope of the destruction from a tornado that killed 19 in the state was coming into view as residents tried to process the disaster.

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado touched down near of Arnett, Oklahoma, on Sunday, May 18. Footage here was captured by storm chaser Adam Cuker and shows the tornado. The NWS called on residents of the area to “take shelter now” as the tornado made impact just before 6 pm local time.