Fire officials say a first responder was found on top of his wife, shielding her from the tornado, and he may have even known it was her.

The family's home was picked up and thrown across the street when a tornado ripped through the area, destroying everything they own.

The rescue team was activated in the middle of the night and deployed to Laurel County as quickly as they could.

A Major with the Laurel County Fire Department died while responding to the devastating tornado that struck Laurel County, according to the department.

Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear remembered 19 people killed by a tornado that ripped through the state Friday as children of God and asked for prayers for others injured or displaced by the event

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Kentuckians are recounting the terrifying moment a tornado ripped through the area and changed their lives forever. Wyan Avenue in Laurel County is covered in debris from homes blown apart and leveled. One man told WKYT his family survived their home being thrown across the road.

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - Some homes are still standing after a tornado came through the area, but the homes of some other folks were reduced to rubble. The Sunshine Hills subdivision is just west of I-75 in Laurel County and that is where many people will have to rebuild from their foundations.

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

Walmart is partnering with Operation BBQ Relief to provide free meals to those in need in the Kentucky counties impacted by the deadly tornado.

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

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( WKYT /Gray News) – A firefighter in Kentucky died Saturday morning after being injured while responding to storm damage. The Laurel County Fire Department confirmed the death of Major Leslie Roger Leatherman in a post on social media.