Tornado Relief for London, KY Families in Crisis

Help London, KY Tornado Victims Rebuild

Late last night (Friday, May 16th, 2025), a catastrophic tornado tore through my hometown of London, Kentucky, leaving a trail of unimaginable destruction. At least 14 people have lost their lives, with many more injured, and countless families are now without homes or basic necessities. The hardest-hit areas include Sunshine Hills, Levi Jackson State Park, and the London-Corbin Airport.

As of this morning, nearly 100,000 people across Kentucky are without power, and emergency crews are working tirelessly to search for survivors and begin the long road to recovery. The scale of the damage is devastating.

I was born and raised in Laurel County. Although I now live in Louisville, my heart remains in London. My entire family and my husband's family still reside there. Thankfully, they are safe, but so many others we know were not as fortunate.

I can't sit idly by while the community that raised me is suffering. This fundraiser is my immediate response, the best way I know to get help directly into the hands of those who need it most.

How the Funds Will Be Used

We will be purchasing and distributing essential items directly to affected families in London and the surrounding areas, including:

We plan to source items in bulk from Costco and other local retailers to maximize the impact of every dollar.

100% Transparency and Accountability

Tyler and I will personally deliver these supplies and assist with cleanup efforts. We will not retain a single cent. We are also contributing our own money to support this cause.

To ensure full transparency, I will maintain a public Google Document detailing every purchase made with donated funds, along with uploaded receipts for verification. Once donations begin to be spent, we will post the link to that document here. We want donors to feel confident that their generosity is making a direct impact.

A Message to the Folks Back Home in London, KY

This ask is not directed at you. You’ve endured enough. Right now, I hope you’re holding your loved ones close and supporting one another through this tragedy.

This fundraiser is for those outside of London: friends I’ve made in Richmond, Lexington, Louisville and beyond. If you’ve ever experienced the warmth of a small town, I hope you’ll consider donating to help this one get back on its feet.

Even a small contribution can provide a family with shelter, warmth, or a hot meal tonight.

News Coverage of the Tornado

If you’d like to learn more about the devastation in London and across Kentucky, several major news outlets have covered the destruction and ongoing recovery efforts: AP News, AccuWeather, Lexington Herald Leader.

Dozens have died. Thousands are without power. And the damage is severe and widespread. These stories are still unfolding, and the need is urgent.

Thank you for showing up for the place that raised me. I promise to steward every donation with care, urgency, and honesty.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Devin Lee Johnson

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Who We Are

My name is Devin Lee Johnson, and my husband is Tyler Johnson. We were both born and raised in London, Kentucky, and we’re both proud graduates of North Laurel High School. Although we now live in Louisville, all of our family still lives in Laurel County and so many of the people affected by this storm are folks we or our families know personally.

We’re the ones organizing this fundraiser, and we’re committed to making sure every single dollar goes directly to the people in our hometown who need it most. We’ll be traveling back to London ourselves to help with cleanup, deliver supplies, and support victims however we can. We’re also contributing our own funds to this effort. This isn’t just a fundraiser for us, it’s personal. These are our people.