Marshall County, Ky. – The first warning from the National Weather Service in Friday’s record-breaking tornado that changed the lives and landscape of Western Kentucky, was issued at 7:24 as it made its way toward Mayfield.
The large EF4 or higher tornado (on a scale of zero-5) hit Mayfield at 9:27 pm. then moved toward the Benton area around 9:45 pm. The twister wreaked havoc through four states, starting near Jonesboro, Ark., Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky.
According to many weather experts, the tornado may have remained on the ground for 240 miles which would rank as the longest tornado track in U.S. History. Meteorologists are saying the reports of 37 tornados in six states is one of the most shocking weather events they have experienced in decades, which is being called the quad-state tornado.
Mayfield suffered the full force of the tornado in the Western Kentucky area, wiping out much of the court square area and flattening a candle factory with 110 people working inside. Forty of those were able to escape or have been rescued with 70 still unaccounted for. Entire homes were sheared off their foundations.
The Mayfield landscape is unrecognizable.
Emergency Responders working in Mayfield are pleading with those not associated with the recovery effort to stay out of Mayfield. The large amount of vehicles coming into town to view the damage is hampering their efforts.
Gov. Beshear stated that he expects at least 70 to 100 fatalities in the state of Kentucky which would make it the deadliest tornado in the month of December on record.
For those in Mayfield, shelters have been set up at Mayfield High School and Fire Station 1 at 211 E. Broadway Street.
Cambridge Shores subdivision received catastrophic damage as did Sherwood Shores. Those areas are nearly unrecognizable. The Oak Level community of Marshall County also received major damage.
Moor Camp Hwy. Leading to Moors, Cambridge Shores and Sherwood Shores areas is not accessible to anyone other than emergency responders, residents and clean-up crews. All other vehicles will be turned away by Law Enforcement
Marshall County Emergency Management has been going from house to house in this area checking for anyone who might be trapped and marking the houses after they have been checked.
Parts of Benton have been heavily damaged, especially the “S” curve area on Hwy. 641 going into town where trees and power lines are on the ground and houses damaged. Most of Benton is without power and all business are closed as of Saturday. Several businesses in the area leading into town on Hwy. 641 have major roof damage and there is damage to boats as well as a camper and U-Haul flipped over.
Eleven deaths have been reported from Bowling Green, Ky., another city hit hard by the Friday evening tornados. Dawson Springs is another community in ruins after the devasting twister made its path through Kentucky.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a State of Emergency and President Joe Biden stated that the Federal Government will do all that is needed to help. Biden also accelerated federal assistance for Kentucky and asked FEMA to offer additional resources and to let the states know what all they are entitled to.
Gov. Beshear called it the deadliest tornado event in Kentucky history.
Donation/Pickup locations for Marshall County
• Marcella’s Kitchen is open for immediate needs. They could also use volunteers to help serve.
• Calvert City Memorial Park is providing water (bring your own container).
• The Elks Lodge (97 Kashway Ln., Benton) is accepting donations starting at noon. If you lost your home or are hosting a family who lost their home, the Elks Lodge will open Sunday for pickup at noon (water, food items, diapers, wipes, toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper goods, socks, blankets, miscellaneous household items). Also needed are gas cans, fuel, chainsaws and oil, gloves (rubber and utility), non-perishables, snacks and roof tarps. They are now accepting gently used or new clothing.
• Mike Miller Park (Hwy. 68 Draffenville) – Visitors Center is open Sunday from 10am to 3pm for donation drop off.
• Marshall County Family Resource Center/Marshall County Schools accepting donations of non-perishable food items (no canned at this time, toilet paper, paper towels, blankets, bottled water, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, storage containers, pet food, feminine products. Drop off is Central Elementary (115 Jim Goheen Dr., Benton) on Sunday and Monday 8am to 5pm. They will continue to collect and distribute throughout the weeks. Those times will be announced. The Family Resource Center will also accept check donations.
• The Jeter Group real estate office in Murray and Calvert City are collecting items December 12-25th from 9am – 4:30pm. Items needed are: bleach, buckets, dust mask, flashlights, gloves (chemical resistant and heavy duty), household cleaners, large garbage bags, large trash cans, liquid disinfectant soap, sponges, scouring pads and scrub brushes, towels, brooms, tarps, hammers, nails, all size men and woman’s socks and underwear (adults and kids), shovels, dog and cat food, water (bottle and jugs), blankets, toiletries, diapers, wipes, first aid supplies, and bottles.
Monetary donations
• The Team Western Kentucky Relief Fund is now live for donations to help the on the ground relief effort. Go to teamwkyrelieffund.ky.gov to help.
• Marshall County Nonprofit Partnership Foundation (Venmo account MC Nonprofit Foundation)
• The American Red Cross is making it easy to send a quick $10 donation simply by texting “REDCROSS” addressed to the number, 90999. Other donations can be made by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting redcross.org online. Other information, including suggestions on how to find someone affected by the storm, can be found here.
Staging Operations
• East Marshall Fire Department (7584 Moors Camp Hwy., Gilbertsville) and West Marshall Fire Department (5149 Mayfield Hwy., Benton) is staging for chain saws. If you have a chain saw and can help, go to one of these stations.
Lodging
• Kentucky State Park’s will take in and house at their lodges or rooms, any individual or families who are needing housing as a result of tornado damage.
Pets
• Humane Society of Marshall County is coordinating with the Marshall County Animal Shelter to get donations to people with pets and have been displaced by the tornado. More information to come. If you have lost a pet due to the tornado, you can post a picture on their Facebook page.
