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Western Ky Storms

On Dec. 10-11, Western Kentucky was ravaged by two destructive long-track tornadoes. The first — an EF4 — clipped the northwest corner of Christian County remained on the ground for more than 165 miles. Two and a half hours later, an EF-2 “took straight aim for the city of Pembroke” and South Christian County, where it caused significant property damage. Then, just weeks later on New Year’s Day, an EF-2 traveled for about a mile through downtown Hopkinsville.

Explore Hoptown Chronicle’s coverage in the days, weeks and months that followed — chronicling initial reports, resident reactions and ongoing recovery efforts.

FEMA offering free legal, mental health hotlines for tornado-impacted residents
Lisa Autry•
FEMA is offering legal and mental health help to residents of the 16 counties hardest hit by the storms, including Christian County.
tornado damage christian county
First Dawson Springs families get state-provided trailers after December’s tornado outbreak
Lily Burris•
The Commonwealth Sheltering Program, which provided the trailers, also provided trailers in Mayfield on Friday. They are expected to provide "medium-term" housing for displaced familiies for at least the next six months.
beshear in front of trailer in western kentucky
Tornado-impacted Ky. residents’ deadline to apply for FEMA, SBA assistance approaching
Derek Operle•
So far, more than 11,000 applications for FEMA aid have been received from the residents in the storm’s lengthy path.
tornado-pembroke-drug-store_feaured
Mayfield candle factory closing, permanently laying off half its employees
Derek Operle•
Mayfield Consumer Products MCP plans to speed up the opening of a facility in Hickory just north of Mayfield. About half the factory’s employees — 250 of the 501 positions — will be transferred to this new facility.
Mayfield candle factory feature
Jill Biden visits Bowling Green to survey tornado damage
Rhonda Miller and Dalton York•
First Lady Biden visited the Creekwood neighborhood, which was ravaged by the tornado, and the tornado recovery center inside Greenwood Mall, where she delivered remarks.
JillBGstrong_1_feature
Fair board, carnival company helping 5 tornado counties
Jennifer P. Brown•
A $10,000 donation will help people affected by the storms in Christian, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Todd counties.
pembroke tornado damage
Christian County eligible for low-interest USDA loans to repair agricultural damage from December tornadoes
Julia Hunter•
The low-interest loans can be used for physical losses and to help "repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses."
farm damaged from tornado
Fabulous Equinox raises more money for tornado relief at church services
Jennifer P. Brown•
The Savannah, Georgia-based orchestra played for three Sunday services at Edgewood Baptist Church.
Fabulous Equinox at Edgewood feature.jpg
Relief bill includes $200 million for communities hit hard by tornadoes
Ryland Barton•
The plan from lawmakers aligns with a proposal made by Gov. Andy Beshear last week.
Mayfield tornado damage
Concert raises money for tornado victims
Jennifer P. Brown•
The Fabulous Equinox and Hopkinsville musician Kenneth Bates played mainly gospel music for the concert to help people affected by the Western Kentucky tornadoes.
tornado-concert-2
Beshear, in televised address, calls for unity after tornado devastation
Ryland Barton•
Gov. Andy Beshear called for unity during his State of the Commonwealth Address, saying Republicans and Democrats need to work together.
2022 State of the Commonwealth Address 23-58 screenshot
Kenneth Bates, longtime gospel music aficionado, will join tornado benefit concert
Jennifer P. Brown•
Tickets for the Saturday show at the Alhambra are $25.
Kenneth Bates feature