Volunteers with the Western Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross are going door-to-door in Mayfield to assist families affected by this week’s tornado.
The EF-3 storm ripped through western Kentucky devastating a section of Mayfield and leaving 25 individuals displaced. Graves County officials estimate $3 million in damages.
Chapter Executive Director Evelyn Miller says the Red Cross is distributing vouchers for food, clothes and hygiene products to those affected while they search for permanent housing.
“We found out Tuesday night while our teams were out on the ground that everybody had a place to go that night," said Miller. "So moving forward they’ll be looking for places to get into on a permanent basis or they’re rebuilding on their locations.”
Officials have compared Tuesday's storm to the 2013 tornado that tore through Brookport, Illinois which killed three people. NWS meteorologists say the Mayfield tornado was "wide and particularly strong" brining 140mph wind gusts.
Miller says she’s thankful there was no loss of life.
“With the size of the tornado and videos that came out on that... anytime that people’s homes are tossed around like little cars, it’s pretty rough," said Miller. "I think this is the one that there will be comparisons to, that people will be talking about for a long time.”She says Trifecta Real Estate is matching donations up to $1,000. The Red Cross is also assisting individuals affected in the Trigg and Christian County areas. To donate call “270-442-3575 or visit online to http://www.redcross.org/
