The agency's office in Jackson, Kentucky, had begun closing nightly as deep cuts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency began hitting. But the weather service kept staffers on overtime Friday night to stay on top of the deadly storms, which killed nearly 20 people in the Jackson office's forecast area.

As deadly tornadoes tore through Kentucky and other parts of the country this weekend, timely warnings from the National Weather Service helped save lives. But behind the scenes, staffing shortages are pushing the agency to its limits — and raising serious concerns about future storm response.

Nine tornadoes struck Missouri and Kentucky on May 16, including a deadly EF3 in Scott County that killed two people and destroyed homes. The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes up to EF4 strength.

Western Kentucky experienced three additional tornadoes, including an EF-3 in Morganfield. At least 19 deaths have been reported across the state due to the tornadoes. Damage surveys are ongoing, and the National Weather Service urges people to avoid affected areas.

An apparent powerful tornado tore through Russell, Pulaski and Laurel County in Kentucky late Friday night, leaving a trail of destruction and killing several.

Did alerts go out? What type of alerts did people receive? National Weather Service and others have said the Jackson office was staffed Friday night despite staffing shortages.

Aerial video footage from areas in the South and Midwest, including Kentucky, show a trail of destruction left by devastating storms and tornadoes.

Major Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran of the Laurel County Fire Department, was tragically killed while responding to a fire alarm when the tornado touched down.

The preliminary data showed high end EF3 damage, with low end EF4 indicators, mainly in the Sunshine Hills area of London, officials with the NWS said. Previous Coverage: Good Que