The search for victims continues after a weekend swarm of dozens of tornadoes left of a path of destruction through five states.
In Mayfield, Kentucky, workers on the night shift at Mayfield Consumer Products were in the middle of the holiday rush, cranking out candles, when the word went out: “Duck and cover.”
It was first feared that as many as 70 factory workers might be dead, but as of Monday morning, that number stood at 8 dead, 8 missing.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) said, “I am praying that maybe original estimates of those we have lost were wrong. If so, it’s going to be pretty wonderful.”
Dozens of people in five states were killed by tornadoes that leveled entire communities Friday night, leaving many areas looking like war zones.
At least four twisters hit Kentucky, including one with an extraordinarily long path of more than 200 miles, possibly the longest in U.S. history.
Entire towns are devastated, with more than 1,000 homes damaged or destroyed across 10 counties.
Gov. Beshear said that going door to door in search of victims wasn’t possible in the hardest-hit areas because “There are no doors.”
Before and after photos show the damage to Amazon’s warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, where at least six people died after a tornado leveled half of the building.
Among the victims, Justice Virden’s dad, Larry Virden.
“I said, ‘No, my dad’s coming home. I need my daddy. He can’t leave,” Justice said.
Her dad, an Amazon driver, was returning to the facility right when the tornado struck.
In Mayfield, Sunday morning, worshippers gathered amidst the rubble that used to house the First Christian Church.
The brick building that stood for generations was knocked down in a matter of minutes.
Breaking down in tears, church member Arthur Byrn said, “I was born in this church. My three daughters were married in this church, baptized in this church. It’s, you know, it’s more than you can stand.”
Church member Carla McDonald said, “We have to rely on our faith and rely on one another and rely with one another, and we will get through this. This town is small, but it’s mighty.”
Beshear expects the statewide death toll to reach at least 50 with at least 14 dead in Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri.
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