Somebody Cares and our network partners are mobilizing in response to deadly tornadoes that ripped through Kentucky and surrounding states on Friday night. At least 18 tornadoes left behind hundreds of miles of destruction and a death toll by Monday morning, December 13, was 90 and rising. In Kentucky, one tornado was on the ground for over 220 miles, the longest track in recorded history.
Over 100 workers were trapped in a candle factory in Mayfield as one of the workers issued an urgent plea for help through social media after the roof collapsed. She and some co-workers were rescued from under five feet of debris. As of Monday, 64 deaths were reported in Kentucky with 100 people missing. State and federal disasters have been declared for the state.
In nearby Bowling Green, a dozen deaths have been reported. Fatalities also occurred in an Amazon warehouse in Illinois and a nursing home in Arkansas.
SCA field rep Mark Roye in on-site to assess where the greatest unmet needs are and determine a base of operations. Network partner CRI is serving in Bowling Green, and partner United Rescue Alliance will be serving in Martin, Tennessee.
Please pray for all those impacted by this horrific tragedy, compounded by cold temperatures and turning a joyful holiday season into a time of mourning.