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Deadly twisters hit US heartland - 15th December 2021
The US has been hit by a devastating tornado storm which raged across its central and southern states.
Dozens of tornadoes ripped through America’s heartland on Friday 11th December, destroying homes, factories and businesses in their paths. President Biden has declared the events an unimaginable tragedy and said his administration would do whatever necessary to support affected areas.
The worst hit state, Kentucky, suffered the loss of over 50 lives, while an Illinois Amazon Fulfilment Centre collapsed crushing 6 employees.
The Kentucky town of Mayfield experienced the most severe devastation from the tornadoes. Resident Mitchell Fowler runs a local restaurant.
Mitchell Fowler: "Just, this is our home town, and it's just devastating. Everybody's lost everything. It's, it’s just one of those things."
These fast spinning vortexes draw storm energy down to the ground when warm, humid weather systems collide with colder, drier air.
Although computer algorithms make it possible to predict their timing and location, the ferocity of these twisters left everyone stunned. David Norsworthy admitted underestimating them.
David Norsworthy: "I didn't really think that it would hit. I thought maybe the wind would get up, but we've never had anything like this here, never. The courthouse is torn up – it, it's all torn up. All of Mayfield is, down through there, she tore up – bad."
The twister decimated the town’s candle factory, trapping the 110 workers under its collapsed roof and leaving 8 dead. However, rescuers succeeded in extracting 90 of the night shift, including Fowler’s brother-in-law.
Mitchell Fowler: "I had a brother in law that was trapped out in the candle factory all night. They found him this morning - he's still alive. He's do, he’s at the hospital, but he's doing OK."
The region suffered over 30 tornadoes, including one colossal twister tearing across 365 kilometres. Scientists have cautioned the public to expect more extreme tornado events as climate change intensifies.
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