Kentucky storm damage: US 27 in Somerset hit hard by tornado, Baxter’s Coffee and Lutheran Church damaged| Videos

Powerful tornado struck Kentucky's Pulaski and Laurel counties, causing huge destruction, especially in Somerset along US 27.

A powerful tornado tore through parts of Kentucky's Pulaski and Laurel counties late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction.

(Image for representation) The Somerset Fire Department responded to destruction reports at Stoplight 22 and Parker’s Mill Road as the tornado touched down. Tara Olson/via REUTERS(Tara Olson via REUTERS)

In Somerset, US Route 27 saw the most damage, with the well-known Baxter’s Coffee shop and a nearby Lutheran church sustaining visible damage. Around 11 p.m., the Somerset Fire Department responded to reports of destruction at Stoplight 22 and the Parker’s Mill Road area, just as the tornado began touching down in Pulaski County.

Meteorologists monitoring the storm confirmed that a tornado had formed and was racing northeast toward London, Kentucky, at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. By 11:30 p.m., the storm’s path was clearly heading into Laurel County.

Forecasters warned residents in mobile homes to evacuate immediately and find secure shelter.

Late into the night, as emergency crews continued assessing the damage, reports confirmed that the tornado had moved toward Hyden by 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, pushing east at around 40 miles per hour toward Perry County.

National Weather Service (NWS) alerted that Tornado Watch 269 remains in effect for parts of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia until 3:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday.

Kentucky tornado watch affects the following areas:

Kentucky – 4 Counties (Northeast KY):

Boyd

Carter

Greenup

Lawrence

Ohio – 8 Counties (Southeast OH):

Athens

Gallia

Jackson

Lawrence

Meigs

Morgan

Perry

Vinton

West Virginia – 7 Counties

Southern WV:

Lincoln

Logan

Mingo

Putnam

Western WV:

Cabell

Mason

Wayne

Cities and areas included in the Kentucky tornado watch:

Alum Creek, Ashland, Athens, Cannonsburg, Carter Caves State Park, Ceredo, Chapmanville, Crooksville, Flatwoods, Gallipolis, Grayson, Grayson Lake State Park, Hamden, Hamlin, Harts, Huntington, Hurricane, Ironton, Jackson, Kenova, Lake Vesuvius, Logan, Louisa, Man, McArthur, McConnelsville, New Haven, New Lexington, Oak Hill, Olive Hill, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Raceland, Russell, Somerset, South Point, Stockport, Teays Valley, Wayne, Wellston, Williamson, and Yatesville Lake State Park.

“Troopers are working as hard as possible to respond to calls,” a Kentucky State Police spokesperson said. They urged the public to use 911 only for emergencies and to contact local dispatch centers for non-urgent issues.