♪ >> This is the worst.

Most devastating, most deadly tornado event in Kentucky's >> Everybody just kind with its neighbor helping neighbor like in any disaster.

>> I'm hoping that many of the people.

>> All for so long, we'll return to this community.

We're still here.

We're still here.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the Kaye E T and Aument for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs and the Kaye E Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ ♪ Good evening.

Welcome to this special Kentucky addition.

Western Kentucky hope Rising.

>> Thank you so much for joining us.

I'm Renee Shaw.

6 months ago today, the lives of thousands of people in our state were forever changed.

The tornado outbreak in western Kentucky left many dead.

It decimated the places people called home, the places where they lived worked, went to school, raise their families and attended community events and religious services even a half year later, the devastation, the tornadoes left behind is still too great to comprehend.

>> I mean, that's just that is.

That's that's a real.

I mean, he's you know, it's when you see when you know what it looked like and then you can see it.

Now, it's just.

Absolutely devastating.

>> 17 died in Warren County has 2 tornadoes touched down.

>> Devastation stretching from Fulton to Ohio County as an EF 4 tornado began in Tennessee and moving to Kentucky around 9 o'clock local time and it stayed on the ground for 165 miles touching 9 counties and bringing destruction to Mayfield Benton.

Princeton Dawson Springs and other communities in its path.

8 people died at the Mayfield, Consumer Products, Candle factory.

Some survivors are suing.

They say they were told they'd be fired if they left the company denies that.

And the state is now investigating that tornado and others hitting December 10th and 11th killed 81 people.

Some instantly some weeks later.

>> A level last I can't comprehend.

And that I never have to.

We're just trying to do what we can to help people.

Carry on what he ate a diet.

>> President Biden visit Mayfield, Princeton and Dawson Springs on December.

15th.

>> And I intend to do whatever it takes as long as it takes as long as it takes us up for your state, your local leaders and for as you recover and rebuild because you will recover and you will rebuild.

>> The president signed an emergency order allowing the federal government to pay all of Kentucky's recovery costs for 30 days.

And Kentucky ends pitched in giving their time and giving their money.

In Kentucky.

>> We're good people.

We love one another.

And we lean on one another.

>> For KET, I'm Toby.

Get this.

>> Governor Andy Beshear is in western Kentucky today.

He stopped in Mayfield to look over the first new homes built since the tornadoes hit.

He said what he saw exceeded his expectations.

>> Home by this point today, 3 sets of keys.

As Patterson set.

God is great.

Even in the most difficult times, we cannot understand why we see miracles and the people around us.

The next day I was in Kentucky, a straw Mayfield, Graves County are strong Western Kentucky strong.

We're going to build back better.

We're going to build back better.

We're going make sure it's really bright future.

Here.

A pledge to you.

We commonwealth of Kentucky are going to be with you every step of the way.

>> These first 3 homes were built through the nonprofit group Homes and Hope for Kentucky which partnered with Mennonite Disaster Service is an Amish groups from the area to build the homes without charging for labor.

In January state lawmakers acted quickly on a financial assistance package to help Mayfield.

Another storm ravaged towns rebuild.

Last month I visited with State Representative Richard.

Mayfield Republican who helped broker a relief plan.

>> There were several ideas floated around.

>> And and when when the the governor met with House leadership and then Senate leadership in.

They just kept rolling ideas around and came up with the 200 million dollars and immediately earmark 15 million to buy trailers.

And in 30 minute, 30 million to go to Kentucky Department of Education to help schools make them whole again.

>> Money from Frankfurt was vital to the recovery.

And so have been donations.

>> The 50 million I think it was donated to the governor's.

I'm fine.

And then the other funds and money is still coming in.

the when when you take the donations that hips offset some of the cost of the material and then the donated labor.

They're they're actually these individuals who qualify her going to be able to get back into a home.

>> He even admits that affording housing for some may be out of reach.

>> Unfortunately, the path the tornado to took out a lot houses that deemed a low-income housing.

Most people were under insured of rebuilding is so expensive.

And a lot of the homes that were destroyed or older found out they weren't insured for near enough to replace.

Yeah, they're building their house when a landlord if he decides to build back building department 2 ran out.

The ran is going to be so expensive that I'm not sure.

Who can afford it.

Fortunately, some of the organizations like Samaritan's Purse and homes to hope in and others that that are building homes that that will be affordable, too.

People who maybe have never been a homeowner.

>> Graves County suffered catastrophic damage not only to his residential and business communities, but also to its entire municipal structure, its courthouse city hall, police and fire stations all destroyed.

But what the county locked in infrastructure, its community members have made up for in their determination.

They formed a group that's working in partnership with federal and state agencies and dozens of businesses and nonprofits.

Their goal to rebuild the community and the lives of those who live in it.

>> It all to recovery group is a actually a national model for communities to go through disasters like we've gone through after these disasters, there was so many organizations do a lot of good things.

We all start realizing that we don't want to have anyone fall through the cracks.

We don't want to duplicate anything.

We will be sure.

But he's getting what's available because there's so much generosity coming in from a local community leaders, local community organization that outside national organizations as well.

We're not a government organization were truly a community lead.

A collaboration of all the organizations here locally with over 60 partners that partner with our long-term recovery group, too, to help we've recovered have revealed.

>> We have partnerships with United Methodist and Catholic Charities as case management entities for us.

Currently Catholic Charities is case managing 200 survivors cases and the United Methodist Group working through the over 4,000 fame registered survivors.

The case managers, they can have up to 25 cases.

They're going to help them identify the needs.

They're going to come up with the recovery plan with the survivor, realistic goals for recovery and try to get them back as a whole person being a survivor.

>> From the tornado and then turn around and being a case manager.

You know how they feel what happened to them.

And then, you know, as a person, empathy, zahvair.

But if you can go through it, you don't have the same understanding of exactly that one crisis and that probably say 4, 500 phone calls and I've just been signed my first 3 >> I'm so the greatest priorities that we have right now.

Are still so many families that are displaced.

Out of their homes or out of a home.

>> There was already an issue with finding rentals in Graves County prior to the tornado.

A very high percentage of our survivors are runners.

And so that brings a unique issue for the case.

Managers trying to find somewhere for them to live.

>> Some of them have landlords some of the been fantastic and some of them haven't done a thing.

They're still living with a drenched carpet in their house.

Here's 6 months later.

So you have a really wide gamut of what the needs are.

Have a lot of people that didn't even really sustain any damage.

But their mental health is just teetering hits in 6 months.

A lot of them feel like they're forgotten.

People are living in their cars.

They have they have no home and.

>> And so, of course, there's a desperation.

>> We need people back in homes, you know, that are prepared and fully fully a whole.

I think there's a 50 or 60 approved FEMA camper trailers.

>> State of It's provided about that same amount of campers to the Commonwealth.

Something program.

We know it's going to be a long road.

That's what's called a long-term recovery group.

And we're anticipating 2 to 5 years, if not more, to truly get our people back to where they need to be safe and secure.

>> We spoke to one Mayfield resident who was living with his mother in a camper provided by the state.

He says, while it's giving them a sense of stability, he's worried it will be short-lived.

>> It kind of reminds me of that small and it could be better.

It could be a lot worse.

And that's honestly kind of company on there, especially after being in the hotel where we didn't have of these cook with.

It was a microwave and it was hard and they're now that we're actually in something that's more assembling a house that kind of gives us some That's a first for you.

So we had 6 months of camper.

>> For all I know we could be homeless and the 6 months just because there's no one around you.

We're hoping that we can lurk look at long term homes for hope of Kentucky.

They are the ones that were working to what's current late to help us get a new house hoping that by the time the campers gone will have the House bulldoze and no house hopefully built back up there.

Let's spend.

It's saddening to see the house.

I've lived in my whole life.

That's going to be people those that the Mets couple weeks.

>> It's obvious through our conversations with tornado survivors, City and state leaders and nonprofit organizations that stable and affordable housing for those who were displaced remains the greatest need.

That's certainly the case for Laura Herrera who immigrated from Colombia as a child.

She was 8 months pregnant when the tornado left her apartment.

Unlivable.

There are ongoing efforts to help get families like Laura in a good place.

>> 5 minutes the Florida tomato happen.

I woke up out of nowhere.

Check my phone or had a lot of missed calls.

And I just like when it's action, you start thinking about just get both your kids.

I was going to happen.

>> Yes, you can predict to.

You just don't know.

>> We lost 475 housing units.

Those are moderate to severely damage.

What about another 500 and and there were minor damage.

So all told about 1000 impacted gets.

>> To get around 2 weeks, we were just everywhere, everywhere.

Looking for a home.

We didn't care if it was a a trend up are we didn't care if it was apartment who was just we just need a summer weekend.

Have this baby.

It.

>> My calm after the storm is what I call him.

>> We're working on what we're calling a 10 home blitz this summer where we'll dry in 10 town homes and 5 days.

And there will be some of those homes will go to folks who have been suffering and the need for affordable housing for a long time.

And then we'll also have some storm victims who with some special funding we're receiving from the governor will be a part of that building as well.

>> We found with 65% of the impacted families were renters.

So they're looking at had a wife and a new unit.

How do I get to stab list?

You know, how do I find something that is in my price range >> we already had a housing shortage in our community.

And so this just made it even more difficult for those folks trying to relocate.

Where are they going to go?

And the issue is if it's a low lower income family, how do they afford the rent and in those units?

And so we're looking towards some creative solutions to provide some opportunities that are affordable for families where they could have a house they can live in forever if they choose But it will also help a bill that would be into their own lives and recover from the storm.

>> My mom and for me about those homes, which I'm doing application for it right now, but that I'm just waiting.

>> The long-term recovery group is really focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

That's where the focus is on the hunt.

Well, a lot of the homeowners, a lot of the people, the landlords, their insurance is going to be a bit handle their recovery.

They're going to be able to.

>> Our contractor never get to that process.

Build back better businesses back online.

But some of the families are going to have the capacity.

They're going to understanding are going have the background.

And so that's where the energy is going to come alongside those families.

Their case management to construction management and help them through that process as they rebuild.

That's going to take >> we're fortunate to have some funding our governor and the team.

Kentucky fund.

And so that will offer a $40,000 direct subsidy to the home buyers and then Kentucky Housing Corporation a subsidy that goes into these homes and so it it can bring their house payment down into the 4, $500 month range, which is extremely affordable in the market we're living in right now.

>> those this bill.

>> And we've seen families who are directly affected by the storm who are still trying to find a permanent place to live.

But that's what our goal is.

>> Being able to get a home, a stable home somewhere.

If a tornado does happen again, we can going run force a spot.

>> It's not just homeowners trying to rebuild.

Business owners are also trying to bounce back from the disaster in the days following the storm.

We visited some bowling green businesses that were damaged.

6 months later, we went back to get an update on their progress.

♪ >> David Holland on the owner, president of signature signs.

I started this business.

27 years ago.

I'm Chris character and my title is director of also Miss.

From a business card.

But I'm single product or what Russian janitor.

Whatever needs to be done.

>> First, I thought just outside of building was Dan is the garage door was caved.

And there is a big cedar tree across the street.

The kind of slam into it want to follow family way here and got inside the NRA realize that even though the front look good, the entire roof had blown off in the back.

Groups coming by with barbecue and leaving them sandwiches and have little nose like we love you.

that is emotional, too.

All the drywall had to be removed.

All the ceiling tiles were removed.

All >> Flory removed ripped a replaced.

So it is still kind of all.

>> been tied.

>> As far they'll do The the owner, but his hands are pretty much been tied.

Also, the building, it's been that up to the insurance, the contractors the engineers, structural engineers and stuff like at the time that we're not going to rebuild.

It all be torn down, but they know better.

I believe all or 2.

>> If you go down a block here, a block there, even go behind me.

There's houses that are gone.

And a I start talking you know, kind of very emotional to think of how lucky we how blessed that we are going to have a foundation that will be >> I'm really only helps homeowners residential.

So as a business that worked for us to this PA. >> And this Ba, I didn't know that I didn't meet the standards.

>> For their help because of my lack income throughout COVID.

>> Our businesses are struggling to get back on their feet.

So our city government, we did 2 things.

One, we did a net profit tax 100% rebate for the next 5 years.

So every profit they make, they will not have to pay taxes on that to the local government.

>> I'm out of my pocket.

I'm probably about $10,000 out there, which is.

Not a great thing, but it's a lot better.

What could the second thing is that we're giving a rebate tax on all the property tax.

So if you own that building, new debt in devastated last year for the next 5 years, you won't have to pay a local tax on your property, which is a significant amount that goes back to the pockets.

Rebuilding.

I'm reading about the work.

I might have something to do every day.

I'm ready to go against our brewery.

Started all my friends back in and start, you know.

>> Living the life I was prior to this instance, it's hard to go routine that you got.

Every day to just completely disrupted.

I've lived here my entire life.

And I would say, you know, a man in Kentucky, sure that he let very Soho.

>> Some but I believe it.

You I meet these people that have lived.

You know, California are Kandahar anywhere else.

But Boehner, they find their way here.

All accounts.

I looked he finally landed at the but the best place you could opt, possibly hope for because voters are greatest.

>> Immediately after the tornadoes donations from around the world poured in.

But the donations meant to help can cause another problem.

It's called the disaster after the disaster.

Our Casey Parker-bell was in Mayfield to learn how to give better.

>> The end the day we're all people and we all just want to help others and I've seen the absolute best in people since December 10th, despite the tragedy, Ryan drain overseas.

Mayfield Graves County's recovery efforts.

>> That is a very emotional thing.

He showed us the massive amount of love.

The world showed Western Kentucky.

Now that love is stored in trailers and warehouses.

>> One of the things that I've learned about and they call it in the disaster.

Recovery is the disaster after the disaster.

And that's the manpower and the time that it takes to manage all of the donations for the long run with as West as we were during see that amount of donations the management of that long-term.

It takes a lot of work.

It takes a lot of people.

It takes a lot of coordination.

3rd, dozens of trucks here at the fairgrounds filled with supplies waiting to be organized and given to people who need them.

>> They're everywhere that you look.

And even though this gravel parking lot is filled with these trailers, but it's also filled with pallets of water bottles.

These water bottles are sitting here waiting to be used instead to places all over the state for those that need it now, some of these goods like the water bottles are being sent to help other communities.

Other donations are still being used daily to help feed clothe and provide.

>> But some items are no longer.

Mayfield central need.

Now the community is dealing with an unexpected problem.

>> In disaster, there's kind of a knee j*** reaction from not just individuals but companies.

How to respond.

Everybody wants to do something.

It's a matter of channeling that passion in the right ways.

Jin Mao the works for good 3.60, a company that links organizations to give with communities in need.

He's an expert in disaster recovery and says people should rethink how they donate to areas impacted by natural disasters.

We would love people will think about the long run.

It's the it's that.

>> The face of disaster against police love.

And it's the most important because it lasts the longest truth is people want to work responding early.

80% of giving a disaster happens in the first 6 weeks.

And and sadly only 12% of of funding goes towards long-term recovery.

>> In Mayfield, Ryan is attempting to find the best way to use what has already been given and to manage the long-term recovery effort.

You can see that we've got warehouses full of things still that we are giving out on a daily basis to hundreds of people that are still in need.

But we're actually looking to transfer earned transition into long-term recovery and long-term recovery.

We need things like construction materials to rebuild the hundreds of homes that were destroyed furniture, appliances, you know, welcome home kits.

Those sorts of things are becoming more and more important as we transition into recovery for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker-bell >> so where do you go for help?

After a disaster and Dawson Springs, that place was the town school.

But it wasn't just a building that stepped up to the moment.

It was also the school's students.

We sent our Casey Parker-bell down the Dawson Springs to talk with students helping the town rebuild.

>> I mean, we've lived here all her life.

So we know our way around this little town and we've got lost.

>> Dylan Skinner and check back.

Remember the moments after the tornado.

>> We get our boots on.

We're all water, water suits and we run his house and I remember this is my favorite part.

Every time we see a power line on the ground because we didn't know if they're hot or not.

We had no idea.

We would, you know, power lines, power lines, power line.

And we were just don't like we're in Mario.

>> Well, we made it there and it was.

It's like a war scene in a movie.

>> After checking on Dylan's father, they made their way to the school.

Now the home base for recovery efforts.

>> And I remember we go to the school.

And I remember.

>> We've seen stuff at the school that night that.

I'll never forget.

None of us will ever forget.

But it amazes me how thats the way through the school together as a place for some people to come up there.

>> Within an hour after the storm, the school became a sanctuary.

The temple of learning became a refuge from the storm to act.

Dawson Springs principal Todd Marshall says fill the gap for the devastated We turned our school into basically a Walmart for our community.

>> It really broke my heart.

I really want to do something for I mean, it's not own a hotel isn't looking Wednesday.

>> In Dawson Springs, as in small communities across Kentucky, the school is the central location, a place together for a game, a room where families generations have matured into adults, a safe space that safe space took on new meaning as classrooms became pharmacies, clothing stores and pantries.

But the building was still a temple of learning.

Just a kind.

>> It was humbling, really?

Because I mean, we have it so good.

We don't even realize it like I have a roof over my head foodie.

You know, I'm not.

Really worried about anything in the tornado hit.

We saw that can just be taken away like an instant.

>> They've offered their community support.

We have several of our students that are out helping rebuild homes.

They're doing cleanup crew.

They're here at the school, helping just wherever they can be, whatever they can do, they're there to help.

>> To Marshall the disaster made the seniors grow up faster and it made their future paths clear.

All 3 have decided they want to stay in Dawson Springs and help the town reconstruct.

Jake wants to become a plumber.

>> Do you go into some of this?

Lost their home with from the tornado implement their house and just seeing their house get finished and see how happy they are with their houses.

>> Finally, they have a home to sleep in at night.

It's the best feeling ever.

Dillon wants to become a lineman, potentially one that goes to help other disaster areas.

>> When you're driving on the road, you look at it.

You're like, how are we ever?

How are we ever going to get back from this?

And I mean, the line and they got there and they had to impose a quick.

>> And Abigail, she wants to teach at the place she found herself every day after the tornado.

Dawson Springs, independent school.

>> If I can come back to the place that I mean, I helped raise me and I'm hoping I can give back to them and they can see it.

>> For Kentucky edition, I'm Casey Parker-bell.

It.

>> We thank you for watching this special report on Kentucky addition.

Western Kentucky hope rising our gratitude to all those who allowed us to share their stories and we'll continue to follow their road to recovery.

You can always keep up with us online on the social media.

All the platforms.

We want to hear what you think.

So reach out to us about this program and others on Kentucky Edition.

It's our pleasure to serve you.

Thank you so much for watching.

Have a great weekend.

Take good care and we'll see you Monday night.

♪ ♪