Gov. Andy Beshear says the death toll is expected to rise as more information comes in following storms that struck Kentucky.

Kentucky was hardest hit as a devastating tornado damaged hundreds of homes, tossed vehicles and left many homeless. At least 19 people were killed, most of them in southeastern Laurel County. Several more people were critically injured with state leaders saying the death toll could still rise.

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.