The National Weather Service has confirmed that a powerful EF-4 tornado tore through southern Kentucky on Friday night, devastating communities across multiple counties.

According to the posts, the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, championed by tech billionaire Elon Musk, cut the area's tornado warning systems as part of cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The National Weather Service has released that the deadly tornado that impacted parts of Pulaski and Laurel counties over the weekend in Kentucky was an EF-4 tornado and was nearly a mile wide.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that there were no problems with weather alerts after devastating tornadoes hit Kentucky Friday night.

Areas in Laurel County that were impacted by a tornado late May 16 will be evacuated during the evening hours of May 20 ahead of more severe storms are set to move into the area, state and local officials announce during a news conference.

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.

Due to staffing shortages, the National Weather Service in Jackson no longer has overnight staff. But NWS and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear say the office was staffed Friday night and early Saturday.

Southeastern Kentucky communities are mourning the losses of loved ones who were killed as tornadoes and heavy storms rushed through the region May 16.