APPALACHIA (May 20, 2025) – Multiple tornadoes left a path of destruction across Eastern Kentucky in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 17. Whole neighborhoods were flattened in and around London and Somerset, Kentucky with numerous fatalities reported.
 
Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has been on the ground since Sunday with water, food, hygiene items, and other essentials. With severe thunderstorms anticipated this week, tarps and plastic storage totes were also distributed to people in need. More than 200 plastic totes were also distributed in Union County, Kentucky to help families protect any items salvaged from the debris.
 
CAP has been coordinating strategic response efforts with the national and statewide Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) to determine the best use of resources. Currently, CAP staff are using pickup trucks and box trailers to deliver needed supplies to devastated areas.
 
“We are neighbors helping neighbors,” said Aaron Thoms, CAP’s manager of Operation Sharing in Paintsville, Kentucky. “I’ve been on the phone all weekend to secure critical items that these communities need. We have about 20 semi tractor trailers filled with essential items enroute. CAP will continue to deliver hope to people in need in Appalachia in the days and weeks to come.”
 
World Vision, Good360, Hearts with Hands, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are partnering with CAP to serve these devastated communities. Also, CAP staff are on the ground assisting with distribution of essential items and food deliveries, and CAP’s Disaster Relief program will set up a shower trailer in London later this week.
 
Tornado survivors can call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline (606.268.0896) to request assistance. CAP utilizes this resource to coordinate response efforts. Any agency that has staff serving in the area can access this hotline database which prevents duplication of services and saves time and money while helping the greatest number of impacted people.
 
If you wish to support CAP’s relief efforts, please visit our website at christianapp.org/tornadorelief and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response.
 
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering can call 1.800.755.5322 or email volunteer@chrisapp.org. CAP will need financial donations and volunteers to meet immediate and long-term needs to help families recovering from this latest disaster.