UPDATE: First responders statewide called to help western KY
Fund accepting donations, help starting to organize
UPDATE POSTED 12:15 A.M. DEC. 12, 2021
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – First responders are working around the clock after a tornado early Saturday morning destroyed many communities in western Kentucky. Because of this, fire departments from around the state are sending rescue crews to the worst hit areas to help in any way they can.
The Lexington Fire Department says 17 of its rescue firefighters have been sent to search the candle factory in Mayfield. Battalion Chief Jordan Saas says along with the 17 Lexington firefighters, two from Winchester and five from Jessamine County went down. Saas says while he doesn’t have much communication with the deployed firefighters because of poor servi, he knows a few overnight recoveries were made Sunday. Saas says he is not able to share how many in the Mayfield candle factory are still missing or how many were found dead.
“Time is of the essence in rescue mode because just natural physiology of the human body,” says Saas. “We need water, we need food to survive, hypothermia sets in, it’s hard to recover from that.”
The East Bernstadt Fire Department made a delivery of tools and supplies Sunday morning to assist in Mayfield’s cleanup. Firefighters from East Bernstadt say the damage is absolutely heartbreaking to see.
“We spoke with a couple people and I mean they were just heartbroken and they were kind of in shock still that this has happened,” says Chad Frye with East Bernstadt Fire and Rescue.
Saturday, the Georgetown Fire Department sent a four man team to Campbellsville to help with tornado relief there. Firefighters say the people they talked to were in good spirits and just happy to be alive.
“In the actual path of the tornado was pretty rough, it was about a half a mile wide and about four and a half miles long path is what they’re estimating,” says Battalion Chief Revel Oliver of the Georgetown Fire Department. “And the houses that were hit were completely destroyed.”
Oliver says a team of Georgetown firefighters will be sent to Mayfield to help early Monday morning. Lexington fire says the Bluegrass Emergency Response Team will be on site in Mayfield doing rescue missions for at least the remainder of Sunday night, but could be extended if help is still needed.
To help the healing and recovery process, fire departments and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine are among the many locations collecting monetary and itemized donations for the impacted areas.
“I also immediately thought, you know, we can help and we can do something about this,” says Christine Sharrer, a U.K. med student, coordinating relief efforts.
She is one of two U.K. medical students who were stunned when they saw the pictures and heard of the tornado damage in western Kentucky. Instead of wondering how others would help, they got to work coming up with a way they could help those affected. Abbigayle Rawls set up a GoFundMe, linked HERE. Over the past two days, nearly $70,000 was raised so she’s now increased the fundraising goal to $100,000.
“Right now, we are actually working to mobilize some funds to Mayfield so we can get some acute needs to them immediately,” says Rawls. “We’re actually setting up a pick up for members of their community to do.”
While organizing the GoFundMe, Rawls is also in Bowling Green helping the Red Cross and assisting in cleanup efforts.
“Seeing everyone come together, like I said, it’s super motivating and it lets you know that everyone’s in this together and it’s also, it’s super disheartening to see things that people have worked for for so long, just it’s all gone,” says Rawls.
Beyond monetary donations, places like the Georgetown Fire Department are collecting items to take to Mayfield and Bowling Green for relief. One woman donating says giving everything you can to those in need is important because one day, it might be you needing help.
“It’s bad enough if it happened in the middle of the summer, if it happened in the spring when we’re used to this, but to happen weeks before Christmas, it’s got to be so hard,” says Rita Thompson with the Not Alone Pregnancy Center in Georgetown. “What do you tell your child, you know?”
Donations of all kinds will be rolling out to western Kentucky throughout the week.
“Have faith and help’s on the way,” says Thompson.
UPDATE POSTED 10 A.M. DEC. 12, 2021
MAYFIELD, Ky. (WTVQ) – As emergency crews continue to respond to a deadly tornado that made its way through Western Kentucky, many citizens are offering their assistance with these efforts. Here are ways you can help.
Kentucky State Police:
People wishing to volunteer are asked to call (270)331-1979. Those wishing to offer donations are asked to call (270)297-7772 or (270)331-0945. Please reserve Kentucky State Police, Post 1 phone lines and 911 lines for those needing assistance.
Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund:
The state has set up an account to take donations for relief efforts in Western Kentucky. To learn more or to donate Click: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief
United Way:
Kentucky’s United Way network is working with emergency management, disaster partners and local communities to support services for families impacted by this devastating event. Families needing support can call 211, Kentucky’s United Way helpline, 24/7, 365 days a year.
United Way of Kentucky has set up a Disaster Recovery Fund to support Kentucky communities in need.
By using the link, you ensure that 100% of funds received by UWKY will go directly to the recovery efforts in those communities. Please consider rounding up your gift to cover the cost of credit card processing fees when donating.
Gifts can be made by visiting uwky.org/tornado.
The Office of the Fayette County Sheriff:
Collecting critical items for distribution. Donations can be dropped off at the Office of Fayette County Sheriff located at 150 Limestone or call 252-1771. Items will be collected until December 19th.
Kentucky Red Cross:
Those in areas unaffected by this tornado outbreak are urged to make an appointment today to give blood and ensure blood products are available for patients wherever the need arises. To make a financial donation or schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets, visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS. You can also use the Red Cross Blood Donor app or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift today. If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, you can learn more a redcross.org/volunteer.
Georgetown Fire Department and Scott County Fire Department:
Accepting donations at all fire stations. plans to deliver Wednesday and next weekend.
Anderson County Sheriff’s Office:
Donations will be accepted up till the close of business on Thursday, December 16th ‘ as we will be making the trip down there on Friday. Any cash donations made will be given to the Graves Co Sheriff who will know who needs them.
All donations should be delivered to the Sheriff’s Office Mon-Thu from 7am to 5pm.
Salvation Army Western KY:
A Fundraiser for The Salvation Army Western KY Disaster Relief has been set up for anyone wanting to donate. Facebook is paying all processing fees so that 100% of each donation can help disaster victims. Donate now at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/645874989922844/
Kentucky School Districts:
Nearly twenty Kentucky school districts around the state will be gathering supplies for families and students in Western Kentucky working to rebuild from the recent devastating storm/tornado.
100% of your donation will help LOCAL KIDS AND FAMILIES! Donate at StuffTheBusKY.com or view list of schools click here.
UPDATE POSTED 10 A.M. DEC. 12, 2021
MAYFIELD, Ky. (WTVQ) – As emergency crews continue to respond to a deadly tornado that made its way through Western Kentucky, many citizens are offering their assistance with these efforts.
Kentucky State Police, Post 1 Dispatch is receiving an overwhelming number of calls from citizens wishing to help. Those wishing to volunteer are asked to call (270)331-1979. Those wishing to offer donations are asked to call (270)297-7772 or (270)331-0945. Please reserve Kentucky State Police, Post 1 phone lines and 911 lines for those needing assistance.
Troopers and officers continue to request the public avoid areas directly impacted by the tornado.
The state has set up an account to take donations for relief efforts in Western Kentucky. To learn more or to donate Click: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief
Also, the United Way has set up a relief. fund. Kentucky’s United Way network is working with emergency management, disaster partners and local communities to support services for families impacted by this devastating event.
Families needing support can call 211, Kentucky’s United Way helpline, 24/7, 365 days a year.
At this time, monetary donations are needed to support immediate relief and long-term recovery. In response, United Way of Kentucky has set up a Disaster Recovery Fund to support Kentucky communities in need. By using the link, you ensure that 100% of funds received by UWKY will go directly to the recovery efforts in those communities. Please consider rounding up your gift to cover the cost of credit card processing fees when donating.
Gifts can be made by visiting uwky.org/tornado.
UPDATE POSTED 9 P.M. DEC. 11, 2021
By BRUCE SCHREINER and JIM SALTER, Associated Press
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — A monstrous tornado, carving a track that could rival the longest on record, ripped across the middle of the U.S. in a stormfront that killed dozens and tore apart a candle factory, crushed a nursing home, derailed a train and smashed an Amazon warehouse.
“I pray that there will be another rescue. I pray that there will be another one or two,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said, as crews sifted through the wreckage of the candle factory in Mayfield, where 110 people were working overnight Friday when the storm hit. Forty of them were rescued.
“We had to, at times, crawl over casualties to get to live victims,” said Jeremy Creason, the city’s fire chief and EMS director.
In Kentucky alone, 22 were confirmed dead by Saturday afternoon, including 11 in and around Bowling Green. But Beshear said upwards of 70 may have been killed when a twister touched down for more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) in his state and that the number of deaths could eventually exceed 100 across 10 or more counties.
The death toll of 36 across five states includes six people in Illinois, where an Amazon facility was hit; four in Tennessee; two in Arkansas, where a nursing home was destroyed; and two in Missouri.
If early reports are confirmed, the twister “will likely go down perhaps as one of the longest track violent tornadoes in United States history,” said Victor Genzini, a researcher on extreme weather at Northern Illinois University.
The longest tornado on record, in March 1925, tracked for about 220 miles (355 kilometers) through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. But Genzini said this twister may have had touched down for nearly 250 miles (400 kilometers). The storm was all the more remarkable because it came in December, when normally colder weather limits tornadoes, he said.
Debris from destroyed buildings and shredded trees covered the ground in Mayfield, a city of about 10,000 in western Kentucky. Twisted metal sheeting, downed power lines and wrecked vehicles lined the streets. Windows and roofs were blown off the buildings that were still standing.
The missing at the candle factory included Janine Denise Johnson Williams, a 50-year-old mother of four whose family members kept vigil at the site Saturday.
“It’s Christmastime and she works at a place that’s making candles for gifts,” her brother, Darryl Williams, said. “To give up the gift of life to make a gift. We haven’t heard anything, and I’m not presuming anything. But I’m expecting for the worst.
He said Johnson Williams called her husband overnight to report the weather was getting bad, the last time anyone heard from her.
Kyanna Parsons-Perez, an employee at the factory, was trapped under 5 feet (about 1.5 meters) of debris for at least two hours until rescuers managed to free her.
In an interview with NBC’s “Today,” she said it was “absolutely the most terrifying” event she had ever experienced. “I did not think I was going to make it at all.”
Just before the tornado struck, the building’s lights flickered. She felt a gust of wind, her ears started popping and then, “Boom. Everything came down on us.” People started screaming, and she heard other workers praying.
Kentucky State Trooper Sarah Burgess said rescue crews were using heavy equipment to move rubble at the candle factory. Coroners were called to the scene and bodies were recovered, but she didn’t know how many. She said it could take a day and potentially longer to remove all of the rubble.
Rescue efforts were complicated because Mayfield’s main fire station and emergency services hub were also hit by the tornado, Creason said.
After a wall at a nursing home in Mayfield collapsed, Vernon Evans said he rushed to help firefighters pull people out, only to find one resident lying dead in a few inches of water.
“All I could do is sit there and hold their head up,” he said. “I never experienced nothing like this.”
President Joe Biden approved an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky on Saturday and pledged to support the affected states.
“I promise you, whatever is needed — whatever is needed — the federal government is going to find a way to provide it,” Biden said.
Six people were killed in the collapse of the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, with another injured worker airlifted to a hospital, fire Chief James Whiteford said.
Investigators searched the rubble throughout the day for additional victims and 45 people survived, Whiteford said. Authorities were uncertain Saturday evening whether anyone was still unaccounted because workers were in the midst of a shift change when it was struck by the tornado about 8:30 p.m. Friday.
“This is a devastating tragedy for our Amazon family and our focus is on supporting our employees and partners,” Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said in a written statement.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which has been trying to organize workers at an Amazon facility in Alabama, criticized the company for keeping the Illinois site open during a weather emergency.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s office said the storms killed at least two people in the state and initial assessments indicate they destroyed or did major damage to hundreds of homes and buildings.
Workers at a National Weather Service office had to take shelter as a tornado passed near their office in Weldon Spring, Missouri, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of St. Louis.
“This was an incredible storm that lasted a long time and covered a lot of territory,” said Larry Vannozzi, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office covering the Nashville area.
Meteorologists haven’t determined whether the storm spawned a single tornado or multiple tornadoes, he said.
In Arkansas, a tornado struck a nursing home in Monette, killing one and trapping 20 people inside as the building collapsed, Craighead County Judge Marvin Day told The Associated Press.
Another person died when the storm hit a Dollar General store in nearby Leachville, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said.
“Probably the most remarkable thing is that there’s not a greater loss of life,” Hutchinson said after touring the wreckage of the nursing home. “It is catastrophic. It’s a total destruction.”
Gov. Bill Lee on Saturday toured tornado-torn parts of western Tennessee in which four people had been killed.
Lee traveled to Tiptonville and then Dresden, a small town of about 3,000 that saw its downtown corridor ripped to shreds.
“This is about the saddest thing I’ve ever seen,” Lee said, who has had three fatal tornadoes rip through the state during his first term in office. “The whole town, the whole town.”
UPDATE POSTED 5 P.M. DEC. 11, 2021
MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) – Dozens feared dead as tornadoes strike Kentucky
Kentucky’s governor says a devastating tornado touched down for 227 miles – more than 200 in his state – and deaths were feared in 10 counties. Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference Saturday that at least 70 people were feared dead in Kentucky, and the death toll could exceed 100.
“This will be, I believe, the deadliest tornado system to ever run through Kentucky,” Beshear said.
Beshear said about 110 people were in a Mayfield candle factory hit by a tornado. Local officials said national guard members and emergency workers from across the state were pouring into Mayfield to help with the search and rescue operation.
The state has set up an account to take donations for relief efforts in Western Kentucky. To learn more or to donate Click: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief
Updates Saturday afternoon included some good news: President Joe Biden approved the emergency declaration the Governor requested earlier. The declaration orders federal assistance to help with local response efforts.
Source: OFFICE OF GOV. ANDY BESHEAR
“Today, Kentucky is absolutely united,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are united with our people; united to find and rescue as many as possible; united to grieve; and united to be here for our families impacted – not just today, but in the years to come so that we can rebuild together.”
The Governor also reminded Kentuckians of three tips for assisting impacted families:
- First, if they are in a community that has been hit hard by the storms, and they are safe and have power, stay off the roads. “Let our first responders get to everybody. Don’t go to these areas to see it. We need to make sure those who do this work can do it at the fastest possible speed,” the Governor said.
- Second, give blood. “We were already pretty short with COVID out there. We’re going to have a lot of deaths, but we are also going to have a lot of injuries,” the Governor said.
- The Governor added: “Third, we have set up a single fund connected with the state that people who want to help – in Kentucky and out of the state – can give to. It is solely dedicated to helping the on-the-ground efforts going on right now and the relief efforts these families are going to need to rebuild. The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund is now live at TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov.”
The Governor immediately declared a state of emergency and activated over 180 Kentucky National Guard members as well as the Kentucky State Police. The state also is using armories as places of refuge for Kentuckians in need of shelter.
State workers are on the ground to help clear roadways and debris.
President Biden ordered federal assistance to supplement Commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and tornadoes.
The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Breckenridge, Bullitt, Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hickman, Hopkins, Lyon, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Shelby, Spencer, and Warren. Other counties may be added later.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.
Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named John Brogan as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.
