The National Weather Service faces staffing shortages as tornadoes hit Kentucky, raising concerns about future severe weather preparedness.

A slight risk for severe weather is in the forecast for Louisville, but areas of Kentucky already hit hard by tornadoes could see more severe storms.

Preliminary storm surveys from the National Weather Service have confirmed significant tornado damage across multiple Kentucky counties following the recent severe weather outbreak.

Survey teams were still working to assess damage into the evening Sunday, but officials said they have already documented severe damage near and west of the London-Corbin Airport.

At least three emergency orders were issued in 2024; three were also issued in 2023, five in 2022, two in 2021 and one in 2020. A violent wave of Friday storms and a tornado has killed at least 19 people in Southern Kentucky.

Nine tornadoes struck Missouri and Kentucky on May 16, including a deadly EF3 in Scott County that killed two people and destroyed homes. The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes up to EF4 strength.

WLWT Louisville news affiliate WLKY flew a helicopter over Russell, Pulaski, and Laurel counties on Sunday to document the scope of destruction from Friday night's tornado.WLKY's crew traced a path from where the preliminary EF-2 to EF-3 tornado touched down near Russell Springs in Russell County all the way to London in Laurel County.

The Jackson, Kentucky office is one of a growing number of forecast offices unable to cover an overnight shift since the Trump administration cut staffing levels through buyouts and firings.