Wildlife rescuer works to rebuild after deadly tornado
Nearly two weeks after the deadly tornado in London, Kentucky, stories of survival and community support keep emerging
LONDON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Tonya Poindexter lives along the trail of destruction left behind by the deadly tornado that tore through London nearly two weeks ago. She was inside her home when it struck.
“It like replays in my mind all the time,” said Poindexter, the founder of Wilderness Trail Wildlife Center.
Her two daughters were with her when the storm hit.
“Felt the house start shifting, and it felt like the suction underneath of it, and you could feel it pull the house up,” she said.
Poindexter and her daughters made it out safely. Her home was damaged and pushed forward by the storm—but it still stands. Next to her house, her nonprofit wildlife center also sustained damage, she says the animals inside survived as well.
Her organization focuses on rehabilitating wildlife, animals that were also impacted by the recent tornado.
“Wildlife, they have no other choice, they don’t have no humans who can help them, and that’s why I do that,” Poindexter said.
As she begins the long journey of rebuilding her home and shelter, Tonya is not alone.
Community members have stepped in to help, including Soul’s Harbor Church, which dropped off breakfast Thursday morning.
“Disbelief, there is still disbelief, you know just pain, just seeing people hurting, there’s no rhyme or reason,” said Michelle Bundy of Soul’s Harbor Church. “This is not from God, you know it’s biblical that God will help rebuild, He is here, He’s in everything good,” said Bundy.
Father Jim Sichko also made a visit, bringing with him a large donation.
“We got $2,000 plus of those, of Lowes, ok, I then have $2,000 plus of Amazon gift cards, ok, and then I have $2,000 plus of Pet Smart,” he said. or their GoFundMe account.
If you’re interested in supporting Tonya and her mission, you can visit the Wilderness Trail Wildlife Center’s Facebook page or their GoFundMe account.
