Several areas of Laurel County, including the Sunshine Hills area, were struck by a reported tornado late Friday night. See video footage.

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

A powerful nighttime tornado tore through Laurel County, Kentucky , leaving behind widespread destruction with homes leveled and vehicles The twister was believed to be at least an EF3 with winds over 136 mph.

Storms and a potential tornado ripped through Laurel and Pulaski counties early Saturday, leaving more than a dozen people dead. See photos of the damage.

At least 18 people have died in Kentucky following severe weather that swept through Missouri and Kentucky. Gov. Andy Beshear said the fatalities were caused by a single tornado, initially estimated to be an EF3.

Severe storms – including possible tornadoes – have taken the lives of at least 16 people in Missouri and southeastern Kentucky, where nine people died in Laurel County, authorities said early Saturday.