More than a dozen people are dead in southeastern Kentucky from strong tornadoes May 16 and 17, state and local officials said. Heavy damage was reported in Pulaski and Laurel counties, where Laurel County Sheriff John Root said a tornado tore through the area just before midnight.

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.

Severe storms in Kentucky claimed 18 lives, with 17 fatalities in Laurel County alone from a tornado Friday night.