>> THIS EVENT IS THE WORST, MOST DEVASTATING, MOST DEADLY TORNADO EVENT IN KENTUCKY'S HISTORY.

>> THIS AGAIN IS NOT GOING TO BE A WEEK OR A MONTH OPERATION, FOLKS.

>> IT'S JUST A CHILLING AMOUNT OF DESTRUCTION.

>> IN THE FACE OF SUCH TRAGEDY, WE CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT KENTUCKY WILL BOUNCE BACK.

>> TO PEOPLE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY, WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

>> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR OUR SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT THE VIOLENT TORNADOES THAT RAVAGED COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND HAS, SO FAR, CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 77 PEOPLE.

12 CHILDREN ARE AMONG THOSE KILLED BY THE S. THE VICTIMS RANGE FROM TWO MONTHS OLD TO 98 YEARS old.

THOUSAND ARE STILL WITHOUT POWE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR PROVIDED THIS UPDATE EARLIER THIS AFTERN.

>> AS WE SIT HERE ALMOST ONE WEEK TO THE DAY OF THE WORST TORNADO DISASTER THE STATE HAS EVER SEEN, WE ARE DIGGING OUT.

YES, WE ARE DOWN.

YES, WE ARE HURTING.

BUT WE ARE NOT DEFEATED AND WE ARE NOT BROKEN.

TOGETHER WE WILL DIG OUT.

TOGETHER WE WILL CLEAN UP.

AND TOGETHER WE WILL REBUILD BOTH STRUCTURES AND LIVES.

OUR COMMITMENT IS LONG-TERM.

THE YEARS THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO E. GET EACH AND EVERY FAMILY IMPACTED AND EVERY TOWN IMPACTED BACK UP ON THEIR FEET.

TO ME THIS IS DEEPLY PERSONAL.

THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN HARMED BY SOMETHING THE LIKES OF WHICH WE HAVE NEVER SEEN.

THE TRAUMA THAT SO MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED FROM THOSE THAT WERE DIRECTLY HARMED TO -- TO THOSE THAT ARE THERE HELPING NOW IS REAL AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

AS OF THIS MORNING I BELIEVE OUR NUMBER OF FATALITIES IS NOW UP TO 77.

THAT INCLUDES ONE NEW FATALITY CONFIRMED IN LYON COUNTY, WHICH BRINGS THEIR TOTAL TO ONE.

IT INCLUDES ANOTHER DEATH REPORTED YESTERDAY IN WARREN COUNTY.

AND IT INCLUDES THE THREE INDIVIDUALS IN HOPKINS COUNTY THAT WE ARE AWARE OF THAT HAVEN'T YET BEEN CONFIRMED BY THAT CORONER.

SO KNOW THAT THIS NUMBER IS STILL IN FLUX.

IF IT ENDS UP BEING A LITTLE LOWER, WE WILL ALL BE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

WE ARE NOW DOWN IN HOPKINS COUNTY TO JUST ONE MISSING PERSON, AND STATEWIDE WE'RE NOW DOWN TO ONE MISSING PERSON.

THAT IS INCREDIBLE NEWS.

AS OF TODAY OUR TEAM WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF FUND IS AT $18.39 MILLION AND GROWING.

ANTHONY PRATT YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO DETAIN $1 MILLION, AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE STEPPED UP TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS.

WE HAVE WELCOMED PEOPLE INTO OUR STATE PARKS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

KENTUCKY VILLAGE NOW JUST EIGHT ROOMS AVAILABLE HOUSING 120 DISPLACED KENTUCKIANS AND 17 FIRST responders >> Renee: FOR THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL LOOK AT TH RECOVERY, AND REBUILDING EFFORT OF KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES, WITH STORIES OF SURVIVORS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND GOVERNMENT LEADE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE DEVASTATIO IS IMMENSE, AND AS WE'VE ALL HEARD, CAPTURED IMAGES DON'T TRULY DEPICT THE TRAGIC AFTERMA THIS WEEK, OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS CREWS VISITED MAYFIELD, DAWSON SPRINGS, AND BOWLING GREEN TO CAPTURE SOME OF THE DAMAGE.

IN MAYFIELD, WHERE A TWISTER DECIMATED THE TOWN SQUARE, FAMILIES IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD SPOKE WITH US ABOUT HOW THEY SURVIVED AND WHAT THEY LOST.

ALMOST EVERY I KNEW OF THE CITY TELLS THE TALE.

>> TOTAL DEVASTATION.

COMPLETE AND TOTAL DEVASTATION.

>> Renee: THIS NEIGHBORHOOD TELLS THE STORY OF THE DAY THE UNIMAGINABLE HIT MAYFIELD.

>> I DES THE BEST WAY TO I VERY IT THE MOVE "SAVING PRIVATE RYAN" WHERE THEY'RE GOING INTO CITIES IN WAR-TORN GERMANY AND THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> I CAME OVER THE OVERPASS THAT COPS INTO TOWN BY THE OLD RIDGE MONUMENTS AND AS SOON AS I TOPPED IT, I SAW CITY HALL.

I NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE CITY HALL FROM THERE.

THERE'S NO TREES.

AND THERE'S NO BUILDINGS.

THERE'S NOTHING OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW.

AND IT'S REALLY HARD TO COMPREHEND.

>> Renee: FOR MANY IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, A PLACE ONCE CALLED HOME CAN'T EVEN PROVIDE BASIC SHELTER.

>> THE HOUSE COLLAPSED ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

THE NORTH SIDE, AUTO WALLS BLEW OUT.

SO IT'S ALL OPEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

>> Renee: WHAT TOOK GENERATIONS TO BUILD, TORN DOWN IN MOMENTS.

>> MY GRANDDADDY CAME DOWN HERE IN THE 1940S IN THIS BUILDING, AND HE PRACTICED ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL HE RETIRED.

MY FATHER CAME HERE IN 1978, '79.

I STARTED PRACTICING HERE.

SO THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN A PART OF MY FAMILY SINCE THE 1940S.

THIS IS MORE THAN A BUILDING TO US.

THIS BUILDING PROVIDED A LIVELIHOOD FOR GENERATIONS AND A HAPPY LIVELIHOOD.

>> Renee: WHAT THEY LIVED THROUGH -- >> IT HIT, MY EARS POPPED, AND I DROPPED DOWN TO MY KNEES AND COVERED MY HEAD.

>> Renee: AND WHAT WAS LEFT IN THE AFTERMATH STUNNING EVEN TO THOSE WHO DEAL WITH TRAUMA AND DISASTERS FOR A LIVING.

>> SO MUCH IS JUST LOST LOSS AND TRAGEDY AND HUMAN HEARTACHE.

IT'S A LEVEL OF LOSS THAT I CAN'T COMPREHEND.

AND I HOPE THAT I DON'T EVER HAVE TO.

BUT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP PEOPLE JUST CARRY ON ONE DAY AT A TIME.

>> WE WALK AROUND.

WE ASK PEOPLE, DO YOU NEED HELP, FOOD, PACKING STUFF, CARRYING STUFF?

>> MOST PEOPLE WE'VE SPOKEN TO ARE IN CRISIS.

SOME PEOPLE ARE A THOUSAND YARD STARE THE WHOLE TUPE THAT YOU'RE THERE.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TEARY-EYED.

>> EVERY DAY YOU GO THROUGH DIFFERENT EMOTIONS DEALING WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST KIND OF DESPAIR AND RESOLVE, AND THEN REPEAT.

AND ALL DURING THE SAME DAY.

>> Renee: BUT DAY BY DAY THERE ARE SIGNS THAT LIFE WILL RETURN TO NORMAL.

BUT IT WILL BE A NEW NORMAL.

>> EVERYTHING THAT I CAN SEE HERE WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS IS GOING TO BE BULLDOZED SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT, A LOT OF ATTEMPT SPACE IN THIS TOWN.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US, MORE SO FOR SOME, TO REBUILD.

>> 100% WE'LL REBUILD.

WE'VE GOT TO HANG IN THERE BECAUSE ALL THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE GONE SOON, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LEFT HERE WITH THE REBUILD.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG HAUL.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS.

BUT MAYFIELD WILL BE BACK.

>> Renee: NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS.

IN THESE TRAGIC TIMES, THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AND HELPING OTHERS DIG THROUGH THE RUBBLE TO SALVAGE WHATEVER THEY CAN, SECURE BASIC NECESSITIES AND COMFORT THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED UNIMAGINABLE LOSS IS ON FULL DISPLAY EVERYDAY HEROES FROM NEAR AND FAR ARE PITCHING IN TH WE MET A GROUP FROM DALLAS, TEXAS WHO TRAVELLED MORE THAN 600 MILES TO LEND A HAND.

>> WHEN THEY SAY, WHERE Y'ALL FROM, AND WE SAY, DALLAS, TEXAS.

THEY LIGHT UP, WOW.

THEN THEY LOOK AT THIS BUS AND YOU DROVE THAT FROM DALLAS AND PULLED THAT?

BACK IN 2012 WE STARTED THE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM.

USUALLY IT TAKES ABOUT A WEEK TO GET AHOLD OF SOMEBODY AND GET ON THE ROAD AND GET MOVING.

KENTUCKY WAS DIFFERENT.

THIS ONE HAPPENED A LITTLE QUICKER THAN USUAL.

THIS IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO, IS COME OUT HERE AND TRY TO SUPPORT OUR FELLOW NEIGHBORS AND OUR FELLOW AMERICANS AND JUST SERVE WITH COMPASSION.

WE COME THROUGH A LOT OF SADNESS, A LOT OF UNKNOWN.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.

WE'RE HERE TO LISTEN, HOWEVER WE CAN HELP UP.

WE'RE HERE TO TRY TO HELP.

YOU ONE MAN CAME THROUGH AND SAID, THIS IS ONLY MY SECOND HOT MEAL SINCE THE WHOLE STORM, AND IT'S ALREADY -- IT'S TUESDAY.

AND THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE BUT THEN HE'S CRYING, I'M GIVING HIM A HUG.

IT'S A PRETTY, PRETTY NICE COMMUNITY.

THEY GOT A TIGHT BOND HERE IN MAYFIELD, KENTUCKY.

THEY'RE TURNING DOWN THE FOOD.

NO, JUST GIVE ME HALF A BURGER BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TAKE SOMETHING FROM SOMEBODY ELSE.

I'M LIKE, I'VE GOT PLENTY BURGERS.

PLEASE TAKE A FULL ONE.

PAST OUR MISSION AT ST. EPISCOPAL SHALL IS SHEPHERD AND SERVE WITH PASSION.

IT FILLS OUR BUCKET.

IT MAKES US FEEL GOOD JUST TO BE ABLE TO HELP A LITTLE BIT.

>> Renee: THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL LEADERS AIR SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES THAT RIPPED THROUGH Kentucky.

AREA SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME MAKESHIFT SHELTERS, SUPPLIES WAREHOUSES, AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTERS.

MAYFIELD INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS LOST ITS ENTIRE FLEET OF SCHOOL BUSES IN THE STORM.

SUPERINTENDENT JOE HENDERSON SPOKE WITH ME THIS WEEK ABOUT THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO TH.

SUPERINTENDENT HENDERSON, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE PROBABLY EXHAUSTED, AND I DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT YOU'RE MAKING TIME FOR US TODAY, SO THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME, MA'AM.

>> HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP?

>> PRETTY WELL.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE CORRECT, PRETTY TIRED, BUT 12, 14-HOUR DAYS, BASICALLY WORKING HERE AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW AS A DISTRIBUTION CENTER FOR FOOD AND ITEMS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO NEED AFTER THE TORNADO.

>> SO EVEN AFTER THE TORNADO STRUCK, YOUR SCHOOL, MAYBE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WAS USED AS A PLACE OF REFUGE FOR FOLKS WHO WERE DISPLACED, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, MA'AM.

THE NIGHT IT HAPPENED I WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE NT SERVERs HERE LOCALLY AND BASICALLY ASKED IF WE COULD OPEN OUR SCHOOL OR IF WE OPENED OUR SCHOOL AS A SHELTER FOR PEOPLE TO COME.

OBVIOUSLY, WE HAD HOMES THAT WERE DECIMATED, AND PEOPLE WERE NOWHERE TO GO, SO THAT PARTICULAR NIGHT WE OPENED THE BUILDING.

WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 150, 200 PEOPLE HERE THAT BASICALLY WE PROVIDED COTTS AND INCHING BLAH ET CETERA, PILLOWS, FOOD, WATER, THINGS THEY NEEDED.

WE WERE USING A GENERATE THAT WAS ONLY LARGE ENOUGH TO FIRE SECURITY LIGHTING BUT WE DID HAVE SOME LIGHTING BUT WE DID NOT HAVE ANY RUNNING WATER, SO OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS A TEMPORARY SITE THAT WAS SET UP THE BEST WE COULD DO AT THAT TIME.

THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE SOME PEOPLE TO A LOCATION IN THE COUNTY THAT HAD RUNNING WATER AND ELECTRICITY.

>> THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.

WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE, SIR?

>> WELL, THE MAIN THING RIGHT NOW IS, YOU KNOW, TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'VE TRIED TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES, OUR STUDENTS TRIED, TRIED TO LOCATE THEM.

MANY OF THEM ARE DISPLACED IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND HOTELS, THINGS OF THAT SORT.

OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS HAVE TRIED TO HELP WITH THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS IN HELP FINDING THOSE AND HELP FINANCIALLY WITH THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS, TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND WHEN THEY MAY BE ABLE TO RECEIVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT HIT A LOT OF OUR HOUSING AREAS WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS.

SO I THINK THE PRIMARY THING THAT WE HAVE HAD OUR FOCUS ON AT THIS POINT IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT SCHOOL, BUT JUST ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN LOCATED, THAT WE CAN FIND THEM AND BASICALLYET HELP THEM WITH THEIR BASIC NEEDS.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE, PARTICULARLY FOR THE YOUNG ONES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AND MAYBE EVEN LOST FAMILY MEMBERS OR CLOSE FRIENDS.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL DEAL WITH THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OF WHAT THESE YOUNG CITIES ARE HAVE ENDURED AND SURVIVED?

>> WELL, WE'RE ALREADY OFFERING ANY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THAT WE CAN HERE AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE GOTTEN A GENERATOR IN THAT'S LARGE ENOUGH TO POWER A PORTION OF THE BUILDING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES FOR ANYBODY THAT CAN GET HERE AND IS ABLE TO COME IN.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ESPECIALLY MOVING DOWN THE ROAD, THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE THINGS STRATEGY-WISE AND WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL CO-OP AND THERE ARE SOME TEAMS AVAILABLE.

WHEN THAT WILL BE, I'M NOT SURE.

GET BACK IN SCHOOL SO THEY WILL HAVE PEOPLE HELP US BASICALLY.

>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY NEXT QUESTION, SUPERINTENDENT, ABOUT WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT YOU CAN RESTART SCHOOL.

I KNOW THAT'S FAR AWAY RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS AN IMMEDIATE CONCERN OF YOURS, BUT HAVE YOU GOTTEN -- GIVEN ANY THOUGHT, EXCUSE ME, TO WHEN THAT MIGHT HAPPEN?

>> W. YES.

AS I SAID, OUR PRIMARY CONCERN AT THIS POINT HAS REALLY BEEN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR FOLK, FINDING THEM, BUT AT THIS POINT JANUARY THE 3rd WAS OUR START DATE AFTER THE WINTER BREAK.

I'M NOT SURE THAT WE'LL MEET THAT DEADLINE.

BUT HONESTLY, YES, IT'S BEEN IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, BUT AS THE NEXT WEEK GOES BY, THAT'LL BE SOMETHING PROBABLY TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT.

>> YOU MENTIONED IF WE CALL THEM SOMETIMES IS THE SHORTHAND, THE FRIDAYS CAN I, FAMILY RESOURCE AND YOUTH SERVICE CENTERS, AND THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT THEY'RE PLAYING BUT THE SCHOOLS, TOO, AS YOU'VE ALREADY DISCUSS RESPONDING TO THE COMMUNITY NEEDS BUT THOSE FRYSCKy CENTERS AND OPERATIONS ARE REALLY BEING MOBILIZED, AREN'T THEY, SIR?

>> YES, MA'AM.

ONE THING IN A SMALL COMMUNITY IN RURAL AREAS, ANY TIME THEY LOOK TO THE SCHOOLS FIRST FOR HELP.

WE JUST TRY TO PROVIDE ANYTHING WE CAN TO HELP AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

OUR FRISKI CENTERS WE HAVE TWO EMPLOYEES IN OUR DISTRICT AND THEY'RE JUST KIND OF LIKE I AM.

THEY'RE OVERWHELMED SO WE'RE TRYING TOO GET THEM EXTRA SUPPORT AND EXTRA HELP TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE NEEDS TO STUDENTS, NOT ON WITH CURRENTLY BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO HELP THESE FAMILIES WITH FOR A LONG TIME TO COME, SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY I'M THANKFUL FOR THE OUTPOURING OF GENEROSITY COMING FROM NOT JUST ACROSS THE REGION, THE STATE, BUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE SEEN TRUCKLOADS DONATIONS TO OUR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIME, BOTH WITH SUPPLIES AS WELL AS FINANCIALLY, AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE GREATLY NEEDED THAT WE HOPE GET SOME OF OUR FAMILIES BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT HARDEN.

I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE SAFE.

I HOPE YOUR FAMILY IS AS WELL.

AND, OF COURSE, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, MAYFIELD AND ALL THE OTHER IMPACTED COMMUNITIES WILL BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, AND SO GOD BLESS YOU AND TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

>> YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR time LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL AGENCIES MOBILIZED IN THE RECOVERY EFFORT FROM THE SWARM OF DEADLY TORNADOES THAT BARRELED THROUGH SIX STATES.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR REQUESTED, AND WAS GRANTED, A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FO THE STATE, WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY KENTUCKY'S FEDERAL DELEGATIO IN WASHINGTON.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAID THE WILL BENEFIT THE HARDEST-HIT CO. >> THIS IS THE WORST STORM TO HIT KENTUCKY KENTUCKY IN MY LIFETIME.

THE TORNADOES CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE IN 15 COUNTIES ALL ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.

THOUSANDS LOST THEIR HOMES.

AT EVERY LEVEL OF LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACROSS BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES, KENTUCKY'S LEADERS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO COORDINATE AND TO PROVIDE.

KENTUCKY HAS BEEN DEVASTATED.

BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN DEFEATED.

KENTUCKIANS ARE RESILIENT PEOPLE.

WE WILL STAY STRONG AND UNITED THROUGH THE CRISIS.

>> Renee: WHEN ASKED IF A FUTURELY RELIEF PACKAGE FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY WILL BE PUSHED FOR IN THE KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE WHEN STATE LAWMAKERS CONVENE IN JANUARY BE HERE'S WHAT CHRISTIAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD HAD TO SAY WHEN WE SPOKE WITH HIM ON MONDAY.

STATE SENATOR WHIT ME WESTERFIELD, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY, RENEE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS HEART-WARMING IS SEEING HOW KENTUCKY GALVANIZES BEHIND OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND TO SEE YOU AND OTHERS WHO ARE IN THESE OFFICIAL CAPACITIES WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND YOUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES WHO ARE DEALING WITH THIS ON A VERY INTIMATE, PERSONAL LEVEL THEMSELVES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE UNBRIDLED SPIRIT OF WEST KENTUCKY AND WESTERN KENTUCKY AND HOW IT WILL -- IT WILL REBUILD.

>> IT IS UNBRIDLED SPIRIT.

THE THE REACTION FROM EVERYONE ACROSS THE WEST KENTUCKY REGION, ACROSS THE REST OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND REALLY, RENEE, ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN SWIFT AND GREAT.

IN FACT, AND I GRIN THINKING ABOUT IT, AND IT WAS JUST LIKE A YES AND IT'S SUCH AN EXCITING MOMENT.

I WAS IF TO LEAVE MAYFIELD EARLY SATURDAY MONKEY, AND I'M SITTING AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE AIRPORT, AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR A, LINE, A CONVOY OF LIGHTNING CO-OP UTILITY TRUCKS COMING IN.

IT WASN'T 9:00 IN MORE THAN YET AND HERE'S A SLEW OF THEM COMING FLEE, AND I KNEW THOSE FOLKS AND SO MANY OTHERS FROM AROUND KENTUCKY AND THE REST OF WORLD ARE STARTING TO JUST PILE ON MAYFIELD AND HELP.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS DIGGING THINGS OUT, RESCUING PEOPLE, RETRIEVING THINGS, GETTING THINGS BACK CONNECTED AGAIN, GETTING POWER POLES BACK UP AND SELF-SERVICE RESTORED AND WATER RESTORED AND ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU AND I, WEAH TAKE FOR GRANTED UNTIL A TORNADO COMES AND DESTROYS ALL THAT INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THAT, AND AS TRAGIC AS THIS WEEKEND HAS BEEN, IT'S GREAT TO KNOW THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND NO ONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS HAS GIVEN ONE RIP ABOUT WHO YOU VOTED FOR OR WHAT PARTY YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU ARE, WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHAT YOU DO.

DOESN'T MATTER.

WHAT MATTERS IS GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY AND GETTING THEM TAKEN CARE OF, GIVING THEM SHELTER, AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'VE SEEN, AND I'M THRILLED BY THAT.

>> YES.

HERE HERE TO THAT.

WELL, AND, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY DOES THIS COME ON THE EVE OF THE HOLIDAYS, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE TRAGIC, BUT WHEN YOU ALL, THE LAWMAKERS, GO BACK TO FRANKFORT JANUARY 4th OF 2022, WHERE WILL THIS FIT IN OR DOES IT FIT IN THE ISSUES THAT YOU WILL BE ADDRESSING?

DO YOU SEE THERE BEING SOME ACTION FROM FRANKFORT TO HELP IN SOME WAY?

>> I THINK THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

I THINK IF YOU HAD ASKED THIS QUESTION A WEEK AGO, THE TOPICS WOULD HAVE BEEN BUDGET, BUDGET AND BUDGET.

BUT A NORMAL BUDGET.

WE'D BE TALKING ABOUT ARPA DOLLARS AND WE'D BE TALKING ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

I THINK ALL OF THOSE THINGS GOT SHUNTED ONE SPOT DOWN ON THE LIST, AND I KNOW FOR THE WEST KENTUCKY REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS, THIS IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

>> THANK YOU.

SENATOR WHITNEY WESTERFIELD, APPRECIATE YOU, sir.

AT MID-WEEK, PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITED STORM-RAVAGED AREAS IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND PLEDGED EVEN GREATER SUPPORT TO HELP COMMUNITIES REBUILD.

HE IS INCREASING FEDERAL DISASTER FUNDS TO COVER ALL CLEANUP AND EMERGENCY WORK IN SERVICE IN THE STATE FOR 30 DAYS.

THE RECOVERY, THOUGH, WILL TAKE MUCH LONGERRER, SOME SAY EVEN YEARS.

MANY STORM SURVIVORS ARE ASKING WHERE TO GO FROM HERE, BUT AMID THE SORROW OVER LIVES LOST, LIVELIHOOD IN QUESTION AND HOW TO REBUILD, THERE IS HOPE.

HERE'S KET'S CASEY PARKER-BELL.

>> I COULD HEAR IT RIPPING THROUGH THE HOUSE BEHIND US AND SO I GRABBED THEIR HANDS AND START PRAYING, AND JUST ASKING GOD TO KEEP US ALL SAFE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND EVERYTHING.

>> Casey: ASHLEY SHUNT ONE OF THE 1,000 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR MOMENT IN THE FIVE TORNADOES THAT SWEPT ACROSS KENTUCKY.

SHE AND HER FAMILY ARE SAFE DESPITE THE ROOF BEING RIPPED FROM THEIR HOUSE P AS SHE AND HER CHILDREN HID IN CLOSET THE SISTER AND MOTHER STAYED IN THEIR DESTROYED LIVING ROOM.

>> YOU COULD HEAR WHERE IT WAS THE WHEN WITH THE NOISE RUMBLING.

I WAITED UNTIL IT WAS TWO HOUSES AWAY FROM US OR MAYBE A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO OPEN THE DOOR.

IS EVERYBODY OKAY?

MOST OF THEM SAID YEAH.

I SEEN MY SISTER AND MOTHER SITTING ON THE COUCH TOIL STEM CELL WITH THE ROOF GONE?

>> Casey: THE TORNADO BROUGHT DESTRUCTION TO MAYFIELD BUT WHAT IT ALSO BROUGHT WAS THE LOVE OF COMMUNITY FOR OTHERS TO SEE.

NEIGHBORS END SURING HAD NEIGHBORS HAVE SHELTER, FOOD AND WATER TO DRINK, THAT THEY GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE TO BE SAFE.

>> THAT'S JUST -- THAT IS -- THAT'S UNREAL.

I MEAN, IT'S -- WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE AND THEN YOU CAN SEE IT NOW, IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING.

>> Casey: STEVEN ELDER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE IN DOWNTOWN MAYFIELD AFTER THE STORM HIT.

HIS PHOTO SHOWED THE WORLD MAYFIELD AFTER THE TORNADO.

HE SPENT THE DAYS SINCE TRYING TO HELP OTHERS.

>> EVERYBODY'S DOING SOMETHING.

IF YOU'RE DOING ANYTHING, YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING.

>> Casey: HIS TRUCK WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, HE AND A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS ARE DRIVING AROUND TOWN KNOCKING ON DOORS.

TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE THE SUPPLIES THEY NEED IN A DESPERATE TIME.

>> I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG-TERM EFFORT, SO IT'S NOT JUST SOMEBODY LOST POWER FOR A FEW DAYS.

NO, SOMEBODY'S GOT A TREE IN THEIR HOUSE.

SOMEBODY HAS HOUSES COMPLETELY GONE.

>> Casey: ELDER DROVE THROUGH THE RUINS THAT ARE NOW DOWNTOWN MAYFIELD TO GIVE OUT WHATEVER IS NEEDED.

THEY FILLED GENERATORS WITH GAS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> Casey: SAT SACKS OF WATER ON DOOR STEPS AND HANDED OUT FOOD TO SEE THE.

SOME PEOPLE USED GENERATORS TO POWER CELL PHONES, THEIR SOLE CONNECTION TO THE OUTER WORLD.

>> I WANTED TO COME AND HELP TO HELP PEOPLE OUT.

I LIVE HERE IN GRAVES COUNTY, AND THIS IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY WHENEVER IT'S ALL FROM HERE, I'M NOT ABLE TO GO, AND JUST SEEING THE NEED OF SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE DEVASTATED WITHOUT THEIR HOUSE, IT'S NOTHING TO COMPARED TO HOUSES BEING TO THE GROUND.

>> Casey: THE MAYFIELD FAIR UNDERSTAND GROW HAVE BEEN THE CENTRAL POINT FOR THOSE HAD TO TO DRIE BRING DONATIONS AND THOSE TO FIND IT.

AS YOU CAN SEE THERE'S WATER BOTTLES STACKED AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE AND TWO WAREHOUSES FULL OF SUPPLIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT.

GOING THROUGH THE FAIRGROUNDS IS AN ODD EXPERIMENT, A PLACE NOT TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BUT A PLACE TO REST.

PEOPLE WANT TO HELP IN ANY WAY THEY CAN.

DONNA BUT AREEL QUESTIONED IF SHE WANTED TO DO AN INTERVIEW BUT KNEW WHY SHE WAS.

>> OH, MAN, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

I NEED TO GET IT TOGETHER.

WHY AM I DOING THIS?

PEOPLE NEED HELP.

>> Casey: LIKE MANY PLACES IN RURAL KENTUCKY, THE COMMUNITY IS COUNTYWIDE, AND FANCY FARM, 15 MINUTES OUTSIDE OF MAYFIELD, THE LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS BECOME A RELIEF HUB.

THEY HAVE TABLES AND TABLES AND TABLES FILLED WITH CLOTHES AND SUPPLIES, READY FOR PEOPLE TO WALK IN AND TAKE WHAT THEY NEED.

>> IT'S MIND-BOGGLING TO THINK THAT ONE EVENT COULD CAUSE SO MUCH DESTRUCTION.

>> Casey: FROM THE FAMILIAR PLACE OF A CAFETERIA, THE SCHOOL IS HELPING PEOPLE RECOVER.

PRINCIPAL THROGMORTON SAID SCHOOLS ARE ODDLY PREPARED TO HELP BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES FROM COVID.

SHE SAYS HER SCHOOL CAN BE A SANCTUARY IN THIS TIME OF NEED.

>> THERE'S HOPE IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP, THAT EVERYONE CAN COME TOGETHER, AND IN SITE.

SPITE OF WHAT THEY LOST OR WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE, THEY'LL SEEK A WAY TO PROVIDE THAT FOR OTHERS.

>> Casey: IN DAWSON SPRINGS 75% OF HOMES WERE DESTROYED.

SOME ARE COMPLETELY GONE WITH BASEMENTS EXPOSE PD THE BRICKS AND MORTAR THAT STOOD ON TOP OF THEM ARE LOST IN PUS E DEBRIS.

ON WEDNESDAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN WALKED THE COMMUNITY STREETS.

HE OFFERED WHAT CONSOLATION HE COULD GIVE.

>> AND I INTEND TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES AS LONG AS IT TAKES, AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO SUPPORT YOUR STATE, YOUR LOCAL LEADERS, AND AS YOU RECOVER BECAUSE YOU WILL RECOVER AND YOU WILL REBUILD.

>> IN KENTUCKY WE ARE GOOD PEOPLE.

WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

AND WE LEAN ON ONE ANOTHER.

WE OPEN OUR HOMES TO THOSE IN NEED, NOT JUST TODAY BUT EVERY DAY.

AND WE WILL REPAIR OUR HOMES, OUR BUSINESSES, AND WE WILL REPAIR OUR LIVES.

WE WILL DO ALL OF THAT TOGETHER.

>> Casey: THOSE WORDS OF CONSOLATION CAME WITH ACTION.

THE PRESIDENT PROMISED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD PAY FOR THE FULL COST OF THE DISASTER RESPONSE FOR 30 DAYS.

BACK IN MAYFIELD WITH RESIDENTS ECHOED THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR SAYING THEIR TOWN'S STORY IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> WE'RE GOING TO REBUILD.

IT'S -- IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT'S GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT AND EXCITING, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT STRONGER THAN THIS.

WE JUST ABSOLUTELY WILL.

>> IT'S ALL GOING TO BE OKAY.

JUST ONE STEP AT A TIME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Casey: AROUND TOWN YOU SEE AMERICAN FLAGS FLYING AMIDST THE DESTRUCTION, A SYMBOL OF DEFINES AGAINST WEATHER OUT OF THEIR CONTROL.

THAT DEFINES IS SHOWN THROUGH THE TOWN SERVICE.

IT HELPED ASHLEY HUNT.

SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO KEEP'S SENSE OF HUMOR PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THAT HELP.

>> I LIKE WHAT YOU DO FOR US.

YOU GET A REALLY GOOD BREEZE.

>> Casey: BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY'S HELPING HAND, HER DAUGHTER MARIAH WILL GET A CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE SO LUCKY.

>> NO, WE'RE NOT.

WE'RE LOVED.

>> YES.

WE'RE NOT LUCKY.

WE'RE LOVED.

>> Casey: OR KET, I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

>> Renee: CASEY PARKER-BELL JOINS US NOW.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU, CASEY.

>> Casey: THANKS, RENEE.

>> Renee: YOU HAVE HAD A TRYING WEEK BUT PROBABLY NOT AS TRYING AS THOSE YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THIS WEEK.

TELL US ABOUT, YOU WERE THERE WHEN THE TORNADOES STRUCK, AND THEN YOU WENT BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, SO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO & IN THE DAYS IN BETWEEN.

>> Casey: RENEE, THIS WEEKEND WHAT WE SAW AS A CITY IN TOTAL DEV STATION.

POWER LINES ON THE ROAD.

DRIVING YOU HAD TO GO OVER DEBRIS, AND IF YOU WERE DOWNTOWN WHEN THE TORNADOES STRUCK, WHAT YOU REALLY SAW WERE PEOPLE TORN APART, NOT JUST THEIR HOUSES BUT THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE IN THE STREET THIS.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THEIR GOODS 1 WONDERINGWHERE THEIR LOVED ONES WERE.

THAT'S WHAT YOU SAW IN TOWN MAYFIELD THIS WEEKEND.

>> THIS IS CLOSE TO YOUR DOWNTOWN TERRITORY.

I KNOW YOUR FATHER IS FROM THAT AREA.

SO TO SEE THE DESTRUCTION AND WHAT IS VERY FARM TERRITORY HOW.

WOULD YOU HOW WOULD YOU INDUSTRY IT?

BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THE PICTURES DON'T DO IT JUSTICE.

>> Casey: YOU CAN'T CAPTURE WHAT YOU SAW A CAMERA LENS.

AS YOU DRIVE AROUND MAYFIELD.

IF YOU KNOW THAT TOWN, THAT BUILDING IS WHERE I TURN RIGHT TO GO HERE.

YMCA POSSIBLE TO DO THAT IN MAYFIELD NOW.

YOU TOTALLY LOSE YOUR SENSE OF DIRECTION BECAUSE THE CITY DOES NOT LOOK LIKE WHAT IT DID BEFORE THE TORNADO.

>> Renee: REAL QUICKLY, WHAT DO PEOPLE TELL YOU THEY STILL NEED?

>> Casey: PEOPLE STILL NEED SUPPLIES.

THEY STILL NEED GOODS OF ALL KINDS.

BUT THE THING EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS WHAT WILL THIS LOOK LIKE TWO WEEKS FROM NOW.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE HAVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

THEY'RE COMING TO HELP.

PEOPLE ON THE STREET ARE ASKING CAN THEY BRING A CHAINSAW BUT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO KEEP MAYFIELD WITH DAWSON SPRINGS IN FRONT OF THEIR MIND AS THIS TRAGEDY MOVES FORWARD.

>> Renee: THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE GROUND.

HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD ARE ON THE GROUND IN WESTERN Kentucky THEIR MISSION IS WIDE-RANGING.

IN AN INTERVIEW EARLIER THIS WEEK, COLONEL HEALTH R. STARKE, DIRECTOR OPERATIONS PER THE KENTUCKY ARM NATIONAL GUARD SAID HIS TEAM WAS MAKING A PLAN WHILE THE TORNADOES WERE STILL ON THE GROUND.

COLONEL ST. TIMOTHY STARKEE, THANK YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, NOT JUST TO OUR COUNTRY BUT PARTICULARLY IN THIS INSTANCE NOW THAT WE ARE SPENCING IN KENTUCKY.

WHEN DID THE NATIONAL GUARD START ACTIVATING TROOPS TO RESPOND TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY TORNADOES?

>> IT WAS PRETTY MUCH IMMEDIATELY, DURING FRIDAY NIGHT AND INTO SATURDAY MORNING, MOST OF US WITH THE ADJUTANT GENERAL AND SENIOR LEADERSHIPSHIP OF THE STATE.

WE WERE IN MARYLAND COMMUNICATION STARTING WITH THE FIRST TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN MAYFIELD, AND THEN WE REALLY KEPT TRACK OF IT DURING THE COURSE OF THE NIGHT AS ADDITIONAL AREAS WERE AFFECTED.

AND JUST WITH INITIAL REPORTS COMING IN, WE STARTED TO DEVELOP IDEAS OF WHICH RESOURCES WE WOULD NEED TO EMPLOY AS WELL AS OPENING UP OUR PLANS THAT WE HAVE FOR DISASTER RESPONSE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO START MOBILIZING UNITS REALLY FIRST THING SATURDAY MORNING.

>> AND WHERE ARE YOU THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN KENTUCKY REGION?

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN TEN COUNTIES.

WE HAVE REALLY 31 DISTINCT DIFFERENT MISSIONS GOING ON.

OF COURSE, THE MAIN AREAS WHERE WE HAVE THE LARGEST EFFORTS ARE IN GRAVES COUNTY AND MAYFIELD, HOPKINS COUNTY AND DAWSON SPRINGS AND THEN IN MUHLENBERG COUNTY AND BRANDON, BUT WE DO HAVE UNITS THROUGHOUT THE REGION IN THE AFFECTED COUNTIES TO RESPOND TO A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS.

>> AND HOW MANY TROOPS TOTAL ARE THERE?

>> THE NUMBERS REALLY FLUCTUATE AS THE MISSIONS INCREASE OR AS DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS EVOLVE, BUT RIGHT NOW THE NUMBER IS OVER 550.

AND THAT INCLUDES AIRMEN AS WELL, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN.

>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT HOW YOUR ASSISTING.

WHAT ARE THE TASKS THAT YOU'RE INVOLVED IN?

AND THE RESPONSE THAT SOLDIERS ARE HAVING TO THE AFTERMATH OF THIS DISASTER.

>> YES, MA'AM.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF OF DIFFERENT RESPONSES THAT WE'RE OPERATING IN, AND WE BRING A LOT OF DIFFERENT UNIQUE CAPABILITIES REALLY FROM OUR MILITARY TRAINING.

SO PRIMARILY AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE BEGAN WITH SEARCH AND RESCUE AND THOSE EFFORTS HAVE REALLY CONCLUDED AT THIS POINT, SO WE'RE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ON AREAS OF SECURITY, ON DEBRIS REMOVAL TO OPEN ROADS AND LINES OF COMMUNICATION IN THE AREA, AND COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION AND MAKING SURE THAT FOOD AND WATER AND OTHER SUPPLIES ARE GETTING TO THOSE THAT NEED.

>> IT YOU MENTIONED, COLONEL STARKE, ABOUT SECURING THE BRIM TER, AND IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME LOOTING THAT COULD TAKE PLACE AMONGST ALL THAT RUBBLE AND TO PROTECT FOLKS' PROPERTY.

CAN YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT EXERCISE LOOKS LIKE FOR YOU ALL.

>> SURE.

AND IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE PART REALLY OF ANY EMERGENCY RESPONSE WE'VE EVER BEEN A PART OF, AND THAT'S THROUGHOUT THE NATION REALLY WHEN WE HAVE THESE THINGS, THAT THERE ALWAYS ARE OPPORTUNISTS THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE THAT ARE IN THEIR TIME NEED, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT CERTAINLY BEING OUT THERE AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE ON TASKS LIKE TRAFFIC ROL CONTROL ORE ACCESS CONTROL ON PERIMETERS TO ALLOW LAW ENFORCEMENT TO REALLY BE ABLE TO EXECUTE, EXERCISE THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS, YOU KNOW, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF AREA THAT HAS EVERYTHING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS TO ONGOING REGULAR CRIME, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE US OUT THERE AND TAKE ON SOME OF THOSE MISSIONS THAT MAY NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE A SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, IT HELPS TO EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT AND THE CAPABILITIES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE AREA, SO IT'S A MISSION THAT WE DO OFTEN, AND IT HELPS TO US KIND OF GET BACK TO STEADY STATE WITH THE LOCAL RESOURCES.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE THAT THE KENTUCKY NATIONAL GUARD WILL BE THE ONLY MILITARY DEPLOYMENT?

>> YES.

AT THIS TIME BETWEEN THE KENTUCKY ARMY AND AIR NATIONAL GUARDS, WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT'LL BE THE ONLY MILITARY FORCES REQUIRED IN THE RESPONSE.

>> HOW DOES THIS DISASTER IN WESTERN KENTUCKY COMPARE TO WHAT YOU SEE IN OTHER AREAS, NATURAL DISASTER OR OTHERWISE?

HOW WOULD YOU RATE IT?

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

EVERY NATURAL DISASTER IS UNIQUE IN ITS OWN WAY, AND I THINK THEES ABOUT THICK I. I CAN COMPARE THE IN IN KENTUCKY IS THE ICE STORM IN 2009 WHERE YOU HAD EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD DAMAGE WHERE NOBODY HAD POWER AND WATER AND THE ROADS WERE BLOCKED, AND IT WAS MORE OF A WIDESPREAD AREA.

IN THIS CASE, THE DEVASTATION IS MUCH MORE SEVERE BUT IT'S CONCENTRATED INTO SOME OF THOSE AREAS WE DISCUSS DISCUSSED, AND ABSOLUTELY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY IT, THE DESTRUCTION IS LIKE NOTHING I'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE, AND I THINK AS BAD AS THE PICTURES LOOK ON TV FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THEM, SEEING IT IN PERSON IS EXPONENTIALLY WORSE.

BUT THE POSITIVE OF IT BEING CONCENTRATED TO SOME OF THOSE AREAS IS THAT THOSE WHO HAVE GOT BEEN AFFECTED DIRECTLY HAVE COME OUT IN FORCE IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEERS AND PEOPLE WILLING TO HELP, PEOPLE BRINGING FOOD AND SUPPLIES AND CLOTHES AND EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE, SO IT HAS ENABLED US TO RESPOND A LITTLE MORE IN TERMS OF THE POPULATION THAN WE ARE ABLE TO DO IN AN ICE STORM OR A HURRICANE WHERE EVERYBODY IS AFFECTED, AND IT KIND OF PRECLUDES THOSE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS FROM TAKING PLACE.

>> COLONEL TIMOTHY STARKE, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY, BUT ALSO, MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR YOUR SERVICE AND HELP DURING THIS TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> Renee: EXPERTS SUGGEST THIS TORNADO OUTBREAK WILL BE STUDIED FOR YEARS TO come ONE OF THOSE EXPERTS WAS RECRUITED TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

METEOROLOGIST TIM MARSHALL HAS HAD AN INTEREST IN tornadoes SINCE HE WAS A KID WHEN HIS HOMETOWN WAS HIT BY AN F-4 TORNADO IN 19-67.

IN AN INTERVIEW EARLIER TODAY, MARSHALL TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY-MAKING STORMS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ONCE MR. TIM MARSHALL.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE, SIR.

>> THANKS FOR THE INVITE.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE FROM DALLAS, TEXAS, BUT YET YOU HAVE A KEEN INTEREST IN THE TORNADOES THAT RAVAGED THROUGH KENTUCKY.

>> YES.

I WAS VERY INTERESTED BECAUSE OF MANY FACTORS THERE, A VERY LONG TRACK, VERY INTENSE TORNADO.

THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AND I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE PECULIARITY OF THAT STRENGTH OF TORNADO IN DECEMBER.

I MEAN, DOES THIS EVER HAPPEN?

>> WELL, VIOLENT TORNADOES HAVE HAPPENED IN DECEMBER.

IT'S JUST THAT THIS IS QUITE FAR NORTH AND THE TRACK IS UNPRECEDENTED AS FAR AS ITS LENGTH IS CONCERNED, AND I ALSO THINK THAT THE INTENSITY FOR THAT DURATION IS ALSO UNPRECEDENTED.

>> AND SO MANY HAVE CALLED THIS HISTORIC, THE GOVERNOR HAS CALLED THIS HISTORIC.

IS THIS HISTORIC IN YOUR MIND?

>> YES, I BELIEVE IT WAS.

I MEAN, ONCE ALL OF THE PLOTTING CAN GET DONE, WE CAN SEE WHAT THE TOTAL PATH LENGTH WAS BECAUSE IT CROSSED MANY COUNTY WARNING AREAS, AND I THINK THIS COULD BE A RECORD.

>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DO THIS KIND OF INVESTIGATIVE WORK TO MAKE THOSE DETERMINATIONS?

>> WELL, IT TAKES SEVERAL WEEKS TO PIECE ALL THIS TOGETHER BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A VERY LONG TRACK, SO WORK IS STILL ONGOING ON THIS EVENT, AND THEN AFTER THAT I AM SURE THAT THERE WILL BE RESEARCH PAPERS DONE IN FUTURE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THIS HISTORIC EVENT.

>> AND I WANT TO ASK YOU, YOU'VE BEEN KIND OF ENOUGH TO SHARE SOME PHOTOS WITH YOU, AND A COUPLE OF THEM ARE REALLY STARTLING.

ONE OF A REFRIGERATOR, FULLY INTACT, PROBABLY STILL OPERATIONAL THAT'S LODGED IN A TREE.

>> YES.

THE DOORS WERE STILL INTACT ON THIS REFRIGERATOR, AND OUTSIDE OF A FEW SCUFFS AND SCRAPES, IT REALLY DIDN'T LOOK THAT BAD OF CONDITION AT ALL, ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING WAS DESTROYED.

THE TREE WAS BROKEN AND THE HOUSES WERE GONE.

>> AND THEN THE OTHER OF A TIRE, AND THIS MADE SOME NEWS IN OUR KENTUCKY MEDIA.

YOUR MELTDOWN BY A TRUCK, AND THERE IS A PIECE OF WOOD THAT IS LODGED IN A TIRE.

I MEAN, SOME OF THESE THINGS YOU COULDN'T MAKE HAPPEN IF YOU TRIED, RIGHT?

>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HIGH VELOCITY BRANCH COMING IN HERE TO DO THAT SORT OF PENETRATION THROUGH THAT TIRE, AND THEN THE TRUCK WAS STILL THERE.

IT WAS INTACT.

IT DIDN'T MOVE.

AND SO THAT TELLS THAT YOU THERE'S HIGH VELOCITY DEBRIS OUTSIDE THE TORNADO TRACK WHICH CAN BE QUITE HAZARDOUS.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS THAT CAME TOGETHER, CLUED TOGETHER TO MAKE THESE STORMS SO STRONG AND DEADLY?

>> WELL, YOU CERTAINLY HAD IT WARM AND MUGGY CONDITIONS, AND THAT IS A TELL TELL SIGN, ESPECIALLY IN DECEMBER.

YOU HAD AN UPPER STORM SYSTEM COMING FROM FROM THE WEST AND YOU HAD A VERY STRONG JET STREAM WHICH SET UP WHAT WE CALLED SPEED SHEAR, AND ANIY STORM THAT DEVELOPS IN THERE CAN ACCESS SOME OF THAT ENERGY AND SPIN AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED, MR. MARSHALL, FROM THESE SPATE OF STORMS THAT WE CAN PREPARE FOR, PERHAPS PREVENT THE LOSS OF LIFE GOING FORWARD?

IS THERE ANY ADVICE OR ANY LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS?

>> I THINK WE'VE LEARNED THAT TORNADOES CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME OF YEAR.

I MEAN, DECEMBER IN KENTUCKY, WHO WOULD THINK TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS THAT YOU'VE HAD A TORNADO OUTBREAK, BUT THIS CAN AND DOES HAPPEN.

SO BASS TORNADOES CAN OCCUR ANY TIME OF YEAR, NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN.

THIS CAN ALWAYS HAPPEN.

IF YOU'RE UNDER A TORNADO WATCH, THAT MEANS THE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADO ACTIVITY.

IT'S JUST PAYING ATTENTION.

IF YOU'RE UNDER A TORNADO WARNING, THAT MEANS THAT TORNADO HAS BEEN SIGHTED EITHER ON RADAR OR SOMEONE ON THE GROUND.

SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

>> WELL, THANK YOU, MR. TIM MARSHALL, ENGINEER AND A METEOROLOGIST AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK TO HELP US LEARN A LOT ABOUT THESE STORMS AND HOPEFULLY KEEP MORE PEOPLE SAFE.

APPRECIATE YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU NOW.

>> Renee: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS SUGGEST IT WAS AT LEAST AN E-F EF-4 TORNADO THAT WAS ON THE GROUND FOR MORE THAN 100 MILES IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

MICHAEL COULD CHASSIC WITH THE NATIONAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LUE LOUISVILLE SAID THIS WERE EARLY INDICATIONS NEARLY A WEEK IN ADVANCE ARE THAT THIS STORM WOULD BE POWERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THE TRACK OF THESE STORMS AND THE STRENGTH OF THESE STORMS AND THE DURATION AND WHERE THEY STARTED AND WHERE THEY ENDED.

>> SURE.

SO THESE TORNADOES STARTED IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AND AS WE HAVE SEEN ON THE NEWS WENT THROUGH GRAVES COUNTY AND HIT THE POOR PEOPLE OF MAYFIELD AND OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THOSE FOLKS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY DEVASTATED IN THE WEATHER SERVICE TO SEE THE DAMAGE AND HEAR THE HORRIFIC STORIES THAT WENT DOWN ON THOSE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS ON DECEMBER 10th AND IN THE OLDER OVERNIGHT, MORNING HOURS OF DECEMBER 11th, BUT EARLY INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS TORNADO WENT ON THE GROUND FOR 165 MILES, AND IT COULD BE EVEN LONGER THAT ONE WE FINISH UP OUR DAMAGE SURVEYS.

IT WAS A HORRIFIC EVENT AND AN ABSOLUTELY TRAGEDY FOR KENTUCKY.

>> HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THOSE FINAL DAMAGE ESTIMATES COMPLETE?

>> SURE.

SO REALLY IT COMES DOWN TO MANPOWER AND THERE'S LOTS TO LOOK AT.

WE HAD SEVERAL TORNADOES ACROSS THE STATE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER AND A LOT OF DAMAGE TO LOOK AT, SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF DRIVE TIME AND HOW FAST WE CAN GET CREWS OUT THERE TO SEE ALL THE DAMAGE ACROSS THE STATE, SO IT CAN TAKE A WEEK OR TWO TO FINALIZE THE TRACK LENGTH, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW IT'S ABOUT 165 MILES ACROSS KENTUCKY FOR THAT ONE TRACK.

>> WOULD YOU CLASSIFY THIS I SEPARATED OF TORNADOES AS A TORNADO OUTBREAK?

AND HOW ODD IS THAT FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR?

>> SURE.

SO THIS IS DEFINITELY AN OUTBREAK WHERE YOU HAVE SEVER TORNADOES TRACKING ACROSS CENTRAL KENTUCKY, WESTERN KENTUCKY AND ALL PARTS OF THE STATE, AND EVEN ACROSS STATE LINES.

THAT IS CHIT QUITE THE SCENARIO FOR AN OUTBREAK.

FOR DECEMBER IT'S FAIRLY RARE BUT IT'S NOT UNHEARD OF.

WE HAVE A RICH HISTORY OF TORNADOES IN KENTUCKY, AND IF YOU GO TO OUR WEBSITE, WHICH IS WEATHER.GOV/LOUISVILLE, YOU CAN SEE A PAGE THERE FOR ALL THE TORNADOES THAT HAPPENED BY MONTH AND BY TOWNS.

THE LAST TORNADO THAT WAS THIS STRONG IN THE EF-4 CATEGORY HAPPENED IN 1952 FOR TELL CITY, SO IT'S PRETTY RARE TO HAVE A STRONG TORNADO LIKE THIS IN DECEMBER.

>> AND CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT HOW MANY TORNADOES.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE WERE TWO IN WARREN COUNTY THAT WERE SEPARATE FROM ONE THAT HAPPENED IN DAWSON SPRINGS AND MAYFIELD.

>> RIGHT.

SO THERE ARE SEVERAL TORNADOES FOR CENTRAL KENTUCKY AT LEAST WE'RE STILL COUNTING BECAUSE THE TRACK, SOMETIMES TORNADOES BOUNCE, AND IF THERE ARE MORE THAN TWO MILES APART, IT'S TECHNICALLY A SECOND TORNADO, SO WE HAVE 15 TORNADOES SO FAR IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND MANY MORE THAT TRACKED ACROSS BERN KENTUCKY THERE, SO WE'RE STILL KIND OF COUNTING AND FINAL SURVEYS HERE OVER THE NEXT WEEK WILL HELP PROBABLY INCREASE THAT NUMBER.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO LEARN FROM THIS TORNADO OUTBREAK THAT CAN HOPEFULLY HELP MAY HAVE BEEN EVEN BETTER PREDICTED THE NEXT ONE OR HELP PEOPLE MORE PEOPLE SAFE?

>> SURE.

I THINK WE'RE LEARNING AS WE TALK TO FOLKS THAT SOME TOOK THE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND HAD MORE OF A SOCIAL SCIENCE APPROACH THAT THEY GOT THE WARNING ON THEIR CELL PHONES AS MUCH AS HALF AN HOUR LEAD TIME WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.

WE'RE ALSO HEARING OTHER STORIES OF PEOPLE GETTING THE WARNING AND NOT TAKING THE RIGHT ACTIONS.

SO WE'RE LEARNING ONE THING ALREADY, THAT IT'S REALLY GOOD TO HEED THE WARNING WHEN YOU GET IT BECAUSE TORNADOES CAN REALLY AT A TIME MOMENT'S NOTICE DO A LOT OF DAMAGE.

ALSO TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE WAY, MULTIPLE WAYS TO RECEIVE WARNINGS IN CASE YOU HAVE ONE THAT IS TO A FAIL POINT FOR YOU.

>> I'M SURE THE TOOLS NOW THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO FORECAST THESE THINGS HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE 1952.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE HAVE AWESOME TIMES.

RADAR IS ONE OF THOSE TOOLS BUT WE HAVE MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

WE HAVE AWESOME SATELLITES AND COMPUTER MODELS THAT REALLY HELP DAYS IN ADVANCE.

THERE WERE SIGNALS THAT THIS WOULD BE A HISTORIC EVENT AS MUCH AS SIX, SEVEN DAYS IN THE FUTURE WHERE IN THE PAST YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO HAVE SEVERAL HOURS OF NOTICE, SO IT'S GETTING MUCH MORE ADVANCED AND NOT ONLY ARE IS OUR EQUIPMENT GETTING BETTER PUT BUT OUR SPOTTERS MORE CONNECTED.

THEY'RE OOH CELL SERVICE EVER SERVICE, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK, AND WE LOVE GETTING REPORTS FROM THOSE FOLKS BUT IT'S GREAT ALL AROUND TO HELP IMPROVE THE WARNING TIME IN 2021.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

MIKE KOCHASIC.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME U.S. >> BOWLING GREEN IN WARN COUNTY WAS ANOTHER AREA HIT HARD BY TH TWO TORNADOES TOUCHED DOWN IN THE COUNTY THAT NIGHT.

17 PEOPLE IN WARREN COUNTY WERE KI.

INCLUDING A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL gi FUNERALS FOR THE VICTIMS IN BOWLING GREEN BEGAN SATURDAY.

NOT ONLY WERE LIVES LOEWS AND HOMES DESTROYED BUT SO TOO WERE PEOPLE'S livelihoods SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN BOWLING GREEN ARE BEING SHOWERED WITH SUPPORT.

>> ALWAYS HEAR THE TERM WAR ZONE BUT THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.

WHEN THERE'S LITERALLY TELEPHONE POLES LAYING ACROSS THE BYPASS AND YOU CAN'T GO FROM A TO B WITHOUT TRIPPING OVER ALL THAT DEBRIS, IT'S -- IT'S A LITTLE OVERWHELMING.

>> JUST TOTAL DEVASTATION.

YOU GO TWO TO THREE BLOCKS THAT WITH A, TWO TO THREE BLOCKS THAT AWAY, THERE'S HOUSES TORN DOWN, MISSING ROOFS.

EVERYBODY I KNOW HAS LOST SOMETHING.

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE IT.

YOU HAVE TO -- IT'S ONE THING TO SEE IT ON TELEVISION OR IN PICTURES.

IT'S ANOTHER THING TO BE HERE ON THE GROUND AND JUST -- IT'S JUST OVERWHELMING.

IT'S JUST OVERWHELMING.

>> I MADE IT UP TO MY OTHER BUILDING LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE A LITTLE VIDEO AND REALIZED WATER WAS JUST COMING IN, WAS JUST LEAKING LIKE A SEIVE AND IT WASN'T UNTIL I GOT THERE IN THE DAYLIGHT I REALIZED THE ROOF WAS GONE.

>> IT WAS PRETTY DEVASTATING.

YOU KNOW, JUST SEEING EVERYTHING I'VE BUILT AND DONE AND ALL THE MEMORIES AND ALL THE STUFF THAT'S GONE ON HERE, AND, YEAH, TO WALK UP AND SEE IT COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED LIKE THAT, IT WAS PRETTY ROUGH.

BEFORE I GOT HERE, THERE WAS A WHOLE FAMILY OF PEOPLE WAITING TO START MOVING ALL THE EQUIPMENT AND GETTING ALL THE PRODUCT OUT THAT THEY COULD AND THROUGHOUT THE NEXT TWO DAYS I'DID SAY IT WAS OVER 60 PEOPLE.

>> IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE TIME.

IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE TIME.

YOU SEE ALL THE FOLKS OUT HELPING CLEAN UP.

YOU SEE THERE'S SO MUCH VOLUNTEER SUPPORT RIGHT NOW THAT'S BEING TURNED AWAY.

>> I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S THESE TYPE OF THINGS YOU SEE THE GOOD IN PEOPLE, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GIVING BACK.

YOU CAN'T REALIZED WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL YOU LOSE it >> Renee: TODAY I SPOKE WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MINTER WHO REPRESENTS BOWLING GREEN.

SHE GAVE US AN UPDATE ON THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE AND WHAT'S NEEDED TO REBUILD.

REPRESENTATIVE PATTY HIT-AND-RUN, THANK YOU FOR A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> OF COURSE, RENEE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO HOW ARE YOU DOING AND HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT MAYBE SOME OF THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE TORNADOES STRUCK ALMOST A WEEK AGO?

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT WHERE THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW?

AND HOW DO YOU EVEN MEASURE AND QUANTIFY THE LOSS?

>> WELL, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

MY FAMILY AND I ARE SAFE.

WE ARE ONLY FOUR BLOCKS FROM ONE OF THE MAJOR SITES OF DEVASTATION, WHICH IS OUR US-31 BYPASS-UP SMALL BUSINESS CORRIDOR.

AND THE DEVASTATION HERE IS UNFATHOMABLE.

JUST FOUR BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE, THE BUSINESS CORRIDOR WAS DEVASTATED BY WHAT WE NOW KNOW WAS AN EF-3, 165-MILE-PER-HOUR WIND.

I STILL CAN'T REALLY EVEN WRAP MY BRAIN AROUND THAT, BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE DEVASTATION, THESE ARE MOM AND POP BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WE NEED ALL THE HELP THAT WE CAN GET TO HELP THEM COME BACK AND BE STRONG AND BE THE VIBRANT PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY THEY WERE.

THE CURRENT ESTIMATE IS 904 HOUSES OR RESIDENCES IN BOWLING GREEN HAVE BEEN HARMED, EITHER DEVASTATED OR SEVERELY DAMAGEDY SO THAT PEOPLE CANNOT LIVE THERE.

SO 100 BUSINESSES, 904 RESIDENCES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

AGAIN, AND THE HUMAN COST.

THE HUMAN COST IS JUST INCALCULABLE.

WE HAVE HAD 17 PEOPLE LOST.

AND OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN AND OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM.

AND GRATEFUL FOR THE FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT BECAUSE IT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

IT'S DESPERATELY NEEDED.

OUR BUSINESS OWNERS, OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO BUILD THEIR RESIDENCES BACK OR FIND NEW PLACES TO LIVE BECAUSE THEIR RENTAL PROPERTY OR APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED, WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET TO GET MONEY INTO THEIR HANDS SO THEY CAN BEGIN TO HAVE RECOVERY AND GET BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE.

>> AS FAR AS THE RECOVERY GOES, AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S FEDERAL AID THAT'S COMING, BUT KENTUCKY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF THEIR REGULAR SESSION THAT BEGINS JANUARY 4th.

WHERE DO YOU THINK THIS SHOULD FALL IN THE PRIORITY LINE OF THINGS THAT ARE ADDRESSED EARLY ON IN THE SESSION?

AND WHAT SHOULD RAY RELIEF PACKAGE LOOK LIKE FROM THE STATE?

>> WELL, IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE FEDERAL MONEY AND PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN HERE AND PROMISED AN UNPRECEDENTED 30 DAYS OF FEDERAL MONEY IN ORDER TO PAY FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, FOR THEIR OVERTIME, AND WE'RE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN 30 DAYS.

SO ANYTHING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CAN DO TOWING BEYOND THAT 30 DAYS IS SO NECESSARY.

WE NEED MATCHING FUNDS IN ORDER TO HELP WITH THIS RECOVERY.

WE NEED, MUCH LIKE WE DID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND THE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS TO MAKE THE PROCESS SEAMLESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE APPLYING FOR SMALL BUSINESS AID, FOR FEMA AID.

I AM TOLD THAT THERE WILL BE EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T WORK BECAUSE THEIR BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

AGAIN, IF YOU TAKE THAT 100 BUSINESSES AND YOU MULTIPLY THAT, LET'S SAY EVERY BUSINESS HAS TEN EMPLOYEES, AND I'M SURE MOST OF THEM HAVE MORE BUT YOU CAN DO THE MATH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF AFFECTED PEOPLE, SO THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE CRUCIAL FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS TORNADO IS NOT PARTISAN.

IT DESTROYED EVERYWHERE.

SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK ACROSS THE AISLE, AND I HOPE WE CAN WORK UNANIMOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FOLKS IN BOWLING GREEN, THE FOLKS IN DAWSON SPRINGS, THE FOLKS IN MAYFIELD AND PRINCETON AND TAYLOR COUNTY HAD DAMAGE AND CASUALTIES AS WELL.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYBODY OUT BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM IN THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FOLKS HAVE THE RELIEF THEY NEED TO GET ON THEIR FEET, THE RECOVERY MONEY THEY NEED TO START TO BUILD BACK AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF LIVING THEIR LIVES AND RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES AGAIN.

AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A FAST PROCESS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE MONTHS.

SO I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RELIEF AND RECOVERY FUNDS THAT WE NEED AND THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT THAT HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE GOING TO NEED GOING FORWARD TO GET BOWLING GREEN BACK AND KENTUCKY BACK STRONGER THAN EVER.

>> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE PATTI MINTER PERFECT THOSE ARE FINE WORDS TO END OUR DISCUSSION ON.

WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, RENEE.

AND AGAIN, KENTUCKY, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FOR OUR RELIEF EVARTS L. EFFORTS, OUR HEARTS BROKEN BUT OUR HEARTS OF ARE FULL BECAUSE YOU ARE WITH US.

THANK YOU, RENEE.

>> THANK YOU.

TAKE GOOD CARE.

>> THANK YOU.

THERE ARE STILL SOME UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IS NOW FILED AGAINST MAYFIELD CONSUMER THE COMPANY OWNS A CANDLE FACTORY IN MAYFIELD THAT WAS LEVELED BY A TORNADO.

EIGHT PEOPLE AT THE FACTORY DIED.

SOME WORKERS ALLEGE THEY WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE FIRED IF THE LEFT WORK AHEAD OF THE STORM.

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAYS THE STATE IS INVESTIGATING.

>> STATE OSHA LOOKS AT ALL FATALITIES THAT OCCUR IN A WORKPLACE, SO THERE WILL BE A LEVEL OF REVIEW THAT WILL TAKE MONTHS.

I SAW THAT REPORT EARLIER.

SO WE DO THAT AS A MATTER OF COURSE, AND SO, YES, YOU CAN EXPECT A STATE AGENCY TO BE TAKING A LOOK.

NOW, WE DO THIS IN ALL OF THEM, SO IT SHOULDN'T -- IT SHOULDN'T SUGGEST THAT THERE WAS ANY WRONGDOING, BUT WHAT IT SHOULD GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE IN IS THAT WE'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED, AND ONCE THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE, TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT.

>> STAY STATEMENT TROY PROPES CEOS OF MAYFIELD CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY SAID THE FOLLOWING: "WE ARE IMMEDIATELY RETAINING AN INDEPENDENT EXPERT TEAM TO REVIEW THE ACTIONS OF O MANAGEMENT TEAM AND EMPLOYEES O THE EVENING WHEN A TORNADO STRUCK OUR FACILITY.

WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT OUR TEAM LEADERS ACTED ENTIRELY APPROPRIATELY AND WERE, IN FACT, HEROIC IN THEIR EFFORTS TO SHELTER OUR EMPLOYEE WE ARE HEARING ACCOUNTS FROM A FEW EMPLOYEES THAT OUR PROCEDURES WERE NOT FOLLOWED.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A THOROUGH REVIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED, AND WE'RE ASKING THESE EXPERTS TO CRITIQUE OUR EMERGENCY PLANS AN TO OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WAY THEY MAY BE IMPROVED, IF ANY.

IN ADDITION, WE'RE GIVING ALL EMPLOYEES $1,000 TO ASSIST THEM IN COVERING SHORT-TERM FINANCIA NEEDS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR BELOVED C SO MANY KENTUCKIANS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND BROADCAST MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE SHOWN SUCH CHARITY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED, WE HAVE A RESOURCE PAGE AT KET.ORG/KENTUCKY-TORNADOES.

THERE YOU CAN FIND LINKS TO VALUABLE RESOURCES, INCLUDING HOW TO HELP AND WHERE STORM VICTIMS CAN GET ASSISTANCE.

OUR THOUGHTS CONTINUE TO BE WITH AND WE PRAY FOR YOU.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND BEHALF OF ALL OF US AT KET, TAKE CARE.