Series of tornadoes in Kentucky became deadliest in US history

The exact death toll from powerful tornadoes that struck cities in Kentucky is not yet known. AccuWeather.

Photo: Shutterstock

Some feared that the death toll could exceed 100, but others hope that this number will soon be significantly revised.

As rescuers and government officials continue to assess the extent of the damage caused by the December 11,12-XNUMX tornado, it becomes clearer the extent of the incident and the scars it will undoubtedly leave behind.

President Joe Biden and Kentucky Governor Andy Besheer announced on December 12 that the tornado is possibly one of the largest and deadliest in United States history.

How deadly it is, however, remains a question.

In Mayfield, Kentucky, a tornado transformed a Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory into what looked like a war zone.

According to preliminary fears, when 110 people were inside, up to 70 workers died.

Beshir said on December 11 that "it will be a miracle if anyone is found alive."

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Bob Ferguson, a spokesman for Mayfield Consumer Products, said that while the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the death toll remained unchanged at eight over the weekend.

In his opinion, the death toll of 70 people could be significantly revised to 16 or less.

“There were earlier reports that up to 70 people could die at the factory. It’s too many, but we thank God that there are much, much fewer of them,” he said.

It will take days, weeks, and even months for the National Weather Service (NWS) and local authorities to comb through the destruction and pinpoint exactly where the tornado streak begins, but early signs indicate that these tornadoes were among the worst in the region's history.

One of the deadliest tornadoes had an estimated 365km path of destruction spanning four states, 320km in Kentucky alone, Besheer said.

outlined @NOAA MRMS Rotation Tracks show the long-track long-lived tornadic supercell over Arkansas, Tennessee, & Kentucky. The highest values ​​in blue are often associated w / violent tornadoes. NWS offices will provide an official determination of the exact tornado paths. pic.twitter.com/vbR6K0C9xI

- NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (@NOAANSSL) December 11, 2021

Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee were also hit by this tornado, which, like 50 other confirmed tornadoes on December 10, occurred under cover of darkness.

If this path length is confirmed by storm surveys, this tornado will surpass the infamous Tri-State Tornado in March 1925, reaching the longest distance in US history.

The Tri-State Tornado swept through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana for three and a half hours and 352 kilometers, killing about 700 people.

Besheer said on December 12, “I know we have lost over 80 Kentucky residents. This number will exceed 100 ".

The governor acknowledged that the process of confirming the deaths is slow.

“This is the deadliest tornado we've ever had,” he said.

Among the dead are a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old child.

With a confirmed death toll in excess of 80 in Kentucky alone, NOAA data has analyzed this year as the deadliest year for tornadoes in the United States since 2011, when tornadoes killed 553 people.

Up until Friday, there were 2021 tornado-related deaths in the US in 14. This December was the deadliest since 2015, with 26 tornado deaths.

“We are one with our people; united to find and save as many people as possible; united in grief and united in being here with the families affected - not only today, but in the years to come so that we can rebuild together," Beshear said on December 11.

At a press conference on December 11 in the afternoon, Biden said that FEMA will offer housing to victims in case of emergency.

It was also announced that the Kentucky state of emergency had been approved by the president.

“I’m willing to do the same for other state governors,” Biden said.

Arlie Bloomgren and his son took refuge in a safe room at their Mayfield workplace when a tornado hit the building's cement walls and shattered them.

Bloomgren escaped the rubble safely while his son was trapped under the rubble before being rescued as well.

Bloomgren continues to search for his wife, who may have been driving home in her pickup truck during the tornado.

“I haven’t heard from her since,” Bloomgren said, fighting back tears.

Several houses on Main Street in Mayfield are reported to have been razed to the ground or severely damaged.

The county's emergency department was also hit by a tornado, leaving the area without ambulances and asking for outside help.

Roads on the outskirts of the city from the evening of December 10 to the morning of December 11 were impassable due to debris.

On December 11, preliminary damage survey results by the NWS indicated the presence of at least an EF3 tornado with a maximum width of at least three-quarters of a mile.

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This rating may increase as additional surveys are conducted in the coming days.

Waddell reported that those who chose to stay in their destroyed homes on the evening of December 11 faced a cold night with no electricity and no heat.

Mayfield Mayor Katie Stuart O'Nan said on December 12 that the cold was "an immediate problem," especially due to water shortages in the city due to a tornado-struck water tower.

AccuWeather meteorologists expect temperatures won't be so cold in the coming days.

Kentucky aid was sent even from Texas.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has agreed to set up a 10-member Texas A&M Task Force for survivors in western Kentucky.

“The State of Texas stands ready to help our friends in Kentucky as they continue their response and recovery efforts from the deadly tornadoes that rocked their western part overnight,” Governor Abbott said.

A violent tornado began its devastating journey in Arkansas, where a nursing home in Monette, 40 km from Jonesboro, was severely damaged, resulting in one death.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson examined the damage at the site and called it a "miracle" that only one person died.

“When I got into this institution, it was like the heavens had sucked up the roof and all its contents. And it’s just a miracle that out of 67 residents we lost only one there. And that's because of the heroic efforts of the staff, and also because the warning was given 20 minutes before the disaster occurred,” Hutchinson said.

In nearby Trumann, Arkansas, a tornado blew brick houses apart, Waddell said.

Buildings were destroyed in Leachville, Arkansas, where at least one death was reported.

"I'm not usually afraid of storms," ​​said Molly Johnson, whose home in Leachville, Arkansas, collapsed during severe weather.

“We felt a bang and the house was collapsing,” she said, adding that she and her college-aged son climbed trees and stepped over power lines before reaching a neighbor's house, where they sought shelter.

“It was crazy. The trailer was hanging in the trees next to me, ”she said.

In Edwardsville, Illinois, near St. Louis, another tornado, tentatively rated EF3, blew off the roof and collapsed a wall near a football field at an Amazon distribution center, killing at least six people.

According to Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford, 45 people were safely evacuated from the building.

Whiteford said on December 11 that operations at the facility have turned exclusively into a recovery phase, and emergency services continue to look for evidence of any signs of life.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy tweeted the December 11 tragedy in the afternoon, addressing the families of the victims and the affected cities.

“We are closely monitoring the terrible situation in Edwardsville and are deeply saddened by the loss of our team members. We stand with their families during this difficult time,” Jassy said.

“As this situation continues to evolve, I want our Edwardsville community to know that we are working closely with local authorities and first responders to support them. I sincerely sympathize with the Amazon community and everyone else affected by this, ”he added.

The company has pledged to donate $ 1 million to help rebuild, according to an Amazon spokesman.

Forecasters expect dry weather to continue early in the week in the affected areas, but are vigilantly monitoring the next storm, which will sweep through the central US later in the week.

It can bring gusty winds, rains and thunderstorms.

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