LISTEN: Mayfield resident describes experience during deadly tornado

We’ve heard incredible stories of heartbreak and hope from the survivors of the deadly tornadoes in Western Kentucky. This morning, we got another one. Austin, a resident of downtown Mayfield, called today’s show to share his experience from Friday night and what the scene is like there now. We’ve said this a lot the last few days, but his words paint a picture that is hard to imagine.

“Even about a minute before tornado actually hit, I could already feel the ground shaking,” he said. “About probably 15-20 seconds before it truly hit, I could hear it. People say it sounds like a train, but it’s not even a train. You can’t put into words, that sound. I jumped out of bed and I took off running to the bathroom and I got in the shower. by the time I got in there, it just took over and I was getting smacked [with debris]…You could just feel the walls caving in and at any moment, I felt like I’m going with it.”

Thankfully, Austin is okay, but the same cannot be said about Mayfield.

“You can’t put it into words,” Austin said of what he saw when he was able to climb out of his house. “It’s just devastation everywhere.”

How to Help

As Austin said, the media coverage is pretty overwhelming for the residents of Mayfield and other hard-hit communities right now. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to help. KSR and the Kentucky Chamber’s tornado relief fund has raised over $225,000, which puts us halfway to our goal of $500,000. On Saturday, Will Levis, Wan’Dale Robinson, Chris Rodriguez, and Josh Paschal will sign autographs at KSBar and Grille with all proceeds going directly to the KSR Tornado Relief Fund.

From 4-8 p.m. today, UK Athletics and LEX18 will host a telethon with proceeds going to the American Red Cross to benefit victims. It will air on LEX18 beginning at 7 p.m. You can also donate through a fund the state set up at TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov​. Governor Andy Beshear also called KSR today to share details about a toy drive First Lady Britainy Beshear is organizing to bring a little joy to the children impacted by the storms. Eligible items include toys, books, electronics, and $25 VISA or MasterCard gift cards. Clothes are not needed at this time. There are multiple drop-off locations throughout the state, or you can mail donations in.

“The Miracle We Prayed For”

It will take years, if not decades, for these communities to rebuild. Beshear said the death toll from the tornadoes stands at 74, 12 of the confirmed dead children. He did have one good piece of news to share. Of the 110 people trapped in the Mayfield candle factory, 102 survived, which Beshear called a “miracle.”

“We did have a positive development late yesterday whereby we think the loss of life in that candle factory is now down to eight. That is the miracle we’ve prayed for in the early days and I can tell you from being there in first light, I don’t know how that was possible.”