Photo: TheAustinMan/Wikimedia Commons
Radar imagery of tornadoes moving across several states on Friday and Saturday.
Communities in Western Kentucky are grappling with the destruction and loss of life from deadly tornadoes that ripped through the state over the weekend.
The storms have likely killed at least 80 people, with dozens more unaccounted for. Tens of thousands of people remain without power.
McClean County resident Karen Kitchens works at a local restaurant called the Dairy Freeze. She described a dramatic uptick in food demand, with people traveling from hard-hit neighboring counties to get a meal.
"We couldn't accommodate them," said Kitchens. "They had no power and no homes. It was all we could do. We had to call in extra help. And I knew that's what it was going to be."
More than 300 National Guard service members continue to search for survivors and bodies. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has also created the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.
Donations can be made online, or checks can be mailed to the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other groups have also set up donation websites.
Beshear, who declared a state of emergency, said he expects the death toll to rise to more than 100, and said the tornadoes may prove to be the worst severe weather event in state history.
"Kentucky is absolutely united," said Beshear. "We're united with our people. We're united to find and rescue as many as possible. We're united to grieve with at least 100 families that will have lost individuals."
Kitchens says she feels lucky to be alive.
"I just felt like this is going to be it," said Kitchens. "It's really going to happen. You know, this time, it's going to happen. We're not going to get out of it this time."
At a press conference on Sunday Beshear said no survivors at the Mayfield candle factory, which was destroyed by a tornado, have been found since Saturday afternoon.
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