LONDON, Ky. — The massive EF-4 tornado that killed 19 people in Kentucky last Friday tore through three counties leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Jackson, the tornado was nearly a mile wide and had peak wind speeds of 170 mph.

Additionally, there was no evidence that tornado sirens in the area had been deactivated by the Trump administration's budget cuts — if there was, the people affected by the storm certainly would have noted that fact in interviews.

A deadly severe weather outbreak spawned at least one tornado in 22 states from May 15 - 21. Among the hardest hit states were Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that there were no problems with weather alerts after devastating tornadoes hit Kentucky Friday night.

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.

A deadly EF-4 tornado ravaged Laurel and Pulaski counties, but also caused damage in several other areas on May 16.

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.