Mayfield Tornado

Over two days, a historic tornado outbreak tore through the central United States, striking hardest in western Kentucky. At least seventy-one tornadoes touched down across eight states, killing nearly ninety people and causing billions in damage. The most catastrophic was the long-tracked EF4 tornado that hit Mayfield, Kentucky, late on December 10. It carved a path of destruction more than 160 miles long, leveling homes, businesses, and public buildings. Much of downtown Mayfield was reduced to rubble, including a candle factory where eight workers lost their lives. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, leaving residents trapped and rescue crews working through the night. Kentucky’s governor declared a state of emergency, and federal aid was promised. The disaster is one of the deadliest and most destructive winter tornado events in U.S. history.