Hearts are heavy across Kentucky in the wake of deadly tornadoes that slammed the state last week, but despite that, first responders and volunteers, some of whom are high school students, continue recovery efforts to rebuild communities that were leveled by the storms.

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,

A violent storm system that included at least one unconfirmed tornado ripped across Kentucky, destroying homes, businesses and at least one church. 18 are confirmed dead as of Saturday afternoon.

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.

The National Weather Service has finished its survey of the deadly tornado that ripped through southeastern Kentucky last week.

CHI St. Joseph London saw a quick surge of people needing help in the moments after the tornado touched down in Laurel County.

Recent tornadoes have claimed the lives of at least 28 people. In response, Operation Blessing and Mercy Chefs deployed teams to the hardest-hit area of London, Kentucky.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, officials said the tornado that traveled between Pulaski and Laurel counties was an EF-4 with peak winds of 170 mph. It was on the ground for more than 55 miles and was nearly a mile wide at its maximum width.

Justin Hawk Smith has over 26,000 subscribers on YouTube; his usual content focuses on fixing trucks and reviewing products. But, after seeing the tornado destruction in his hometown of London, he’s switching gears.

Neighbors in London, Kentucky are beginning the long road to recovery after their community was reduced to rubble in a tornado. The EF-4 tornado tore through an area near the London-Corbin Airport, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.