LONDON, Ky. (WKRC) — Survivors of the deadly tornadoes that struck parts of Kentucky continued to sift through the rubble as widespread cleanup efforts were underway in Laurel County, about 90 miles south of Lexington.

The tornadoes, which swept through the area Friday night, claimed the lives of 18 people and left several others critically injured.

Travis Whitaker's house on Hawkins Road, a family home for more than 30 years, was reduced to rubble.

"I don’t feel that bad. It was just my childhood home and my daughters have grown up here," Whitaker said, becoming emotional.

Whitaker, along with his wife, daughter, and four dogs, took cover in their bathtub when they received the tornado warning.

"It came across my house that way. Basically, the other side of that wall is where the bathroom is, and you could hear it pulling the wood, the ceiling, everything just a tearing sound," he said.

After the tornado passed, Whitaker checked on his neighbor, Judy Foister. Judy's son, Shane, said she had taken cover under her bed when Whitaker found her.

"Somehow my mother lived through that. I really don’t know how. I don’t know how," Shane said.

Whitaker had heard a second tornado was coming so Judy, Whitaker's family, and their pets all stayed in Judy's bathroom, which was still standing. Fortunately, the tornado never came.

"I don’t know how they lived, looking at his house. I guess that’s something to be thankful for," Shane said.

Both houses were a total loss, but some items remained untouched, like Shane's late father's guitar.

"It’s sitting in there right next to a bunch of things that got destroyed," Shane said.

The families are safe and staying with relatives nearby, but the emotional healing from the trauma will take time.

"Since Friday night, I’ve slept like eight hours... just been working nonstop trying to save as much stuff as possible. I’ve not had time to think," Whitaker said.

Several volunteers stopped by homes to offer help with cleanup and supplies for families in need.