Severe storms and tornadoes swept through the Bluegrass region from Friday night into early Saturday morning, leaving behind a trail of destruction, widespread power outages, and tragic loss of life. As emergency teams scrambled to rescue victims and utility crews worked to restore power to more than 100,000 affected customers, the city of Somerset faced its own moments of heartbreak and resilience.
According to the Somerset Police Department, a portion of Highway 27—between stoplights 19 and 25—was closed due to extensive storm damage, including downed power lines and hazardous debris. Several side roads within the tornado’s path were also shut down for safety. Although Parkers Mill Road reopened between the 914 bypass and Koger Circle, through traffic to Hwy 27 remained restricted.
Among the businesses hit hardest was Quality Custom Tattoos, a beloved local tattoo shop. In a poignant social media post shared Saturday, the studio confirmed that the shop was destroyed overnight during the storm. Photos accompanying the post revealed flash art strewn beneath collapsed ceiling panels, with artists’ stations buried under debris.
Yet amid the wreckage, a small but powerful symbol endured: a sign above the shop’s doorway that read “Believe.” In their message, the staff clung to the hope it represented.
“As you can see from the first picture, the storm couldn’t shake our ‘believe’ sign,” the post read. “That’s us in a nutshell. We’re going to be okay. We’re going to survive. We’re going to believe.”
The loss of the shop struck a personal chord for many in the community. Austin Kane, master barber at Shriner’s Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, shared his memories on Facebook, recalling that Quality Custom was where he got his first tattoo—and many more after.
The destruction comes amid ongoing recovery efforts throughout the region. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed at least 14 storm-related fatalities statewide.
As Somerset continues to rebuild, the resilience of businesses like Quality Custom Tattoos serves as a reminder that, even in the face of devastation, hope can remain unshaken.
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