The agency’s office in Jackson, Kentucky, had begun closing nightly as deep cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency began hitting. But the weather service kept staffers on overtime Friday night to stay on top of the deadly storms, which killed nearly 20 people in the Jackson office’s forecast area.

As Chairman of the (subcommittee) that funds the National Weather Service, I will work to ensure that our weather offices have the funding and staff necessary to keep our people safe,” Rep. Hal Rogers wrote in a statement.

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.

The National Weather Service has completed the tornado assessment in Laurel County, Kentucky. The preliminary data showed high end EF3 damage, with low end EF4 indicators, mainly in the Sunshine Hills area of London,

Gov. Andy Beshear praised the Trump administration’s response to a deadly tornado in his state, even as he worried about cuts at NWS.

Southeastern Kentucky communities are mourning the losses of loved ones who were killed as tornadoes and heavy storms rushed through the region May 16.

Did alerts go out? What type of alerts did people receive? National Weather Service and others have said the Jackson office was staffed Friday night despite staffing shortages.

Amid storms that killed 27, the NWS office in Jackson, Kentucky, reportedly scrambled to cover overnight forecasts on Friday.

Kentucky and southern Indiana face severe weather but NOAA radio service goes offline. Learn how you can stay informed using alternative methods during the storm.