Photo Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse

With rebuilding still in progress more than two years after the Dec. 10 tornado outbreak, long term recovery group leaders and volunteers look back on the progress they made.

The deadly tornado destroyed and damaged more than 1,000 homes in the Commonwealth and claimed the lives of 77 Kentuckians. In Graves County alone, more than 200 homes were destroyed with 24 fatalities. 

Communities like Cayce located in Fulton County were also affected. Volunteer leaders in both counties say that full recovery is attainable, but it will require more time and effort. 

Graves County

Long Term Recovery Groups like Mayfield Graves Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) formed weeks after the disaster to help communities recover and rebuild. The group’s director Matthew Allen said they are working with 225 families to provide them assistance.  He said nearly 65 families are waiting to be assigned a case manager.

The Mayfield Graves LTRG also provides smaller necessities families need such as food, toiletries and clothing. Allen said they have rebuilt homes, but they also provide families with the proper resources to properly function after the homes have been built. 

Allen said he is impressed with the number of volunteers who have contributed time and resources to the region. He said it’s impossible to rebuild a community without help.

“It has really brought the town and the county kind of collectively together for recovery,” Allen said. “We’ve seen families’ home situations improve and they have a safe place to live.” 

Mayfield Long Term Recovery Group collaborates with other recovery groups including Samaritan’s purse – a Christian humanitarian aid group that specializes in disaster relief. Allen said it’s a privilege to work with different volunteers, many of whom have come from out of state. One of the groups is Samaritan’s Purse – a Christian humanitarian aid organization headquartered in North Carolina. 

Tom Cottrell is the project superintendent for Samaritan’s Purse in West Kentucky. Prior to volunteering with the group, he worked as a contractor. He said he knew the logistics and how much work and material was needed.

“When a disaster like this happens it’s everyone’s duty in the community to help anyway they can,” Cottrell said. “It’s great to see the work we have done over the past two years.”

Allen said he and the group want to make sure residents know what to do if another severe weather event happens. He said it’s important people have access to information including weather alert services and where structurally safe buildings are located. 

Fulton County

Cayce – located 12 miles west of Fulton – was the first community in Kentucky to be hit by the tornado. One resident was killed with 23 homes destroyed in Fulton County. 

Groups like Samaritan’s Purse and Habitat for Humanity helped rebuild homes contributing both volunteers and material. 

Mark Dowdy is the pastor for Cayce Baptist Church. Following the tornado, he gathered Fulton County residents to help with the cleanup and recovery of the community. He said even though Cayce is smaller and more isolated, the response to help those affected was “unwavering.”

“It’s been a blessing,” Dowdy said. “We have had the organizations help us from the beginning. That’s really what gave us encouragement to know that we could do this.”

Fulton County not only plans to finish rebuilding people’s homes, but it also plans to work towards grants to stimulate economic growth in the region with Community Ventures – a non-profit that gives economic aid in underserved communities.

Dowdy said being a population of less than 150 has its advantages because everyone knows their neighbor and the community is always ready to help. He said the recovery process functioned quicker with more hands-on work.

“It’s a really good experience after the tragedy to see how many people came together to support us in this manner,” Dowdy said. “[Cayce] being a small population in the county we have people that are ready to help and get things done.”

Looking forward

Recovery groups have also prioritized mental health by connecting survivors with counseling services. The Mayfield Graves LTRG has an emotional healthcare committee which meets the fourth Thursday of every month at the Graves County Baptist Association. The committee also provides meals to those who attend.

“We focus on holistic recovery of survivors,” Allen said. “That includes their mental, emotional and spiritual health.” 

Churches in Fulton County, including Cayce Baptist, have provided classes for families and children who suffer from mental illnesses as a result from the tornado. Dowdy said in order for the community to move forward, they have to address the damage that can’t be seen.

“When children go through tornado drills it has an effect on them,” Dowdy said. “Emergency services have gone into schools and really worked with them and offered them some comfort and ease.”

Survivors of the tornado can apply for the Mayfield Graves LTRG A New Lease on Life Program which provides them with disaster assistance.

For more information on the Mayfield Graves Long Term Recovery Group visit their website. More information about Cayce’s recovery efforts can be found on the Cayce Recovery Facebook page.