A Week After The Deadly Tornadoes, This Is How Kentucky Is Recovering
Multiple tornadoes touched down in several states last Friday, causing widespread destruction and leaving scores of people dead and injured.
Nearly a week after several states were hit by a series of tornadoes, the level of destruction, which has been most severe in Kentucky, is still being assessed. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that 3,280 people are still without power almost seven days later, mostly in the town of Mayfield. Hundreds of homes and buildings were destroyed in the storm, and at least 77 people in the state have died. We looked at some photos that show how the area is recovering after the devastation.
The Legion Theatre lies destroyed in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 16, 2021, six days after tornadoes hit the area.
Matthew Harris clears debris outside his destroyed house in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 16, 2021, six days after tornadoes hit the area.
Volunteers pass out hot food outside of Redemption City to those in need as the recovery continues from last week's tornado on Dec. 16, 2021, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Rick Vincent of Newaygo, Michigan, reads a sign placed on a pile of building rubble as he stops work at the end of the day on Dec. 12, 2021, in Mayfield, Kentucky. Vincent, a retired teacher, has come to Mayfield on his own to volunteer to help in the cleanup effort after tornadoes and severe weather caused catastrophic damage across several states, killing dozens of people.
David Capps sits in the doorway of his destroyed home in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on Dec. 15, 2021, in the aftermath of tornadoes that tore through the region. He says looters have already taken possessions and used his identity to apply for FEMA funds.
Relief supplies are distributed at the Dawson Springs High School in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on Dec. 16, 2021. The school has been turned into a donation distribution center, distributing food, clothes, medicine, children's toys, and other supplies to people affected by last week's tornado.
Volunteers, mostly from the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, help salvage possessions from the destroyed home of Martha Thomas in the aftermath of tornadoes that tore through the region several days earlier.
Jessaundra Jackson and Debbie Johnston, both employees of Mayfield Consumer Products in Mayfield, Kentucky, hug at the conclusion of a candlelight vigil in the aftermath of tornadoes that tore through the region several days earlier.
Volunteers prepare food at Redemption City to distribute to those in need as the recovery continues from last week's tornado on Dec. 16, 2021, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
A young boy holds a candle during a vigil in the aftermath of tornadoes that tore through the region several days earlier in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 14, 2021.
People help retrieve items from a destroyed home on Dec. 11, 2021, in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Bonnie Moxley picks up her belongings from her damaged house after devastating tornadoes in Earlington, Kentucky.
Director of Divisional Emergency Response of the Salvation Army William Trueblood (left) distributes food outside the Cayce United Methodist Church in Cayce, Kentucky, on Dec. 15, 2021, five days after tornadoes hit the area.
Manoj Patel and his wife recover goods from their destroyed liquor store in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 16, 2021, six days after tornadoes hit the area.
Members of the Amish community repair a destroyed barn in Fulgham, Kentucky, on Dec. 15, 2021, five days after tornadoes hit the area.
An aerial view of damaged houses after devastating tornadoes in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Dec. 15, 2021.
A general view of the damaged courthouse as people left flowers for victims of a deadly tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 15, 2021.
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Pia Peterson is a photo editor at BuzzFeed News, and is based in Brooklyn.
Contact Pia Peterson at pia.peterson@buzzfeed.com.
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