LONDON, Ky. — As a powerful tornado moved toward Laurel County late Friday, Zach Wilson drove through the storms to get to his parents.

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.

Storm systems sweeping across the Midwest have left several people dead, including nine killed after a tornado sparked a mass casualty event in southeastern Kentucky. Kentucky authorities said there were severe injuries as well as a twister tore across Laurel County late Friday.

A Laurel County, Kentucky firefighter who was injured while responding to storm damage overnight is among the 17 people who died, according to officials.

A series of severe storms moved through the Midwest Friday night killing over two dozen people, including a firefighter from Laurel County Kentucky.

A powerful nighttime tornado tore through Laurel County, Kentucky , leaving behind widespread destruction with homes leveled and vehicles The twister was believed to be at least an EF3 with winds over 136 mph.