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"Hell on earth": Kentucky tornado survivors sift through debris

Monday, 13 December 2021 7:00 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 13 December 2021 7:00 AM ]

Emergency workers search through what is left of the Mayfield Consumer Products Candle Factory after it was destroyed by a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 11, 2021. (Photo by AFP)

Kentucky tornado survivors sifted through what remained of their homes on Sunday after a string of powerful tornadoes that officials fear killed more than 100 people and obliterated homes and businesses.

Authorities said they had little hope of finding survivors after the tornadoes tore through the US Midwest and South on Friday night, killing people in at least five states.

In Dawson Springs, in southwestern Kentucky, homes were flattened across wide areas.

Michael Long had lived in his home since 1992. When the tornado approached, he took shelter in his basement with his wife. Emerging four minutes later, he saw that part of his house was missing.

"I told my wife, I said, I want to tell you right now, I'm warning you, when we go up there, I don't think the house is there, it's gone. And sure enough, that end of the house was gone when we finally got out the next morning and we seen it," he said.

Long's daughter April Tulley, who grew up in the house, and her friend Reed Geary sifted through the rubble of the house on Sunday, hoping to find some of his memorabilia from a long naval career.

"It's horrible. It's the definition of hell on Earth," Geary said.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at least 80 people in his state were dead and the toll was eventually going to exceed 100, but he held out hope for "some miracles" even though it had been more than 24 hours since anyone was found alive in the rubble.

(Source: Reuters)

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