One month after deadly tornado, southern Kentucky communities still rebuilding with help from donations

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — It’s been one month since a historic and deadly tornado tore through parts of Laurel and Pulaski counties, killing 20 people and leaving dozens more injured.

The recovery process has been slow, as residents begin the long journey of rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives. For many, the trauma of that night still lingers.

Monroe Murphy, a survivor from Finley Trailer Park, recalls the moment the storm struck.

“Felt like my trailer was up in the air and slammed down on the roof,” Murphy said. “I ended up about 150 feet back in the neighbor’s yard, hanging onto some debris. It was still blowing and trying to suck me out of there. The whole event only lasted 30 to 45 seconds.”

Murphy suffered a head injury that required stitches, but he says he was otherwise okay. After the tornado passed, he began searching the trailer park for other survivors—and found something deeply personal where he landed.

“It just, like right now, it brings tears to my eyes and a chill down my spine just thinking about that—that Bible was laying there. And God was telling me, ‘I’m here with you. I protected you.’”

To help those still in need, Karenda Vaughn and Debbie Jansen, co-owners of the Finley Trailer Park, have launched a donation drive for storm survivors.

“It’s not just for the trailer park,” Vaughn said. “But other people who were needing things like building supplies to start rebuilding their homes. I know that’s what we needed—and that’s the type of donation that we lacked.”

The items being collected are free to anyone in need. Vaughn, Jansen, and Murphy say they are overwhelmed by the generosity of those who’ve donated—many from out of state.

“They have blessed us so much,” Jansen said. “It has been amazing.”