270 Stories webmaster Gage Simpson didn’t realize the night of Dec. 10, 2021 that his capstone journalism project would focus on the recovery from the EF-4 tornado that ripped through far western Kentucky. He did what any journalist would do. Go to the scene and start documenting the story.

Simpson, a senior journalism major from Louisville, had remained in Murray after finals ended that week. As soon as it was safe to drive, Simpson headed to Mayfield to begin documenting the story in photographs. He stayed until sunrise. Below are photos from that night.