Major Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran of the Laurel County Fire Department, was tragically killed while responding to a fire alarm when the tornado touched down.

London, Ky. — More tornadoes plowed through the central U.S. on Monday, ripping apart buildings and knocking out power as people from Texas to Kentucky continued to clean up from days of severe weather that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes and buildings.

Multiple fatalities have been confirmed in Laurel County, Kentucky following a reported tornado. Saturday morning, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that nine people died and others had numerous severe injuries after the reported tornado.

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.

A reported tornado claimed lives in Laurel County, causing destruction and displacing many. Shelters are open and efforts are underway to help those affected.

Community comes together in massive cleanup effort in Laurel County, KY following deadly tornado

He spent his life protecting the community and in the end, he did the same thing,” Kentucky fire chief says about Major Roger Leslie Leatherman, who was found atop his wife during Friday’s tornado.

Several parts of the state were struck by the tornado early Saturday morning, leaving significant damage across the area.

Aerial video footage from areas in the South and Midwest, including Kentucky, show a trail of destruction left by devastating storms and tornadoes.