FOUR DISASTERS
Community Resilience in the Face of Destruction
DECEMBER 10, 2021 TORNADO
On December 10th, 2021 an EF-4 with peak wind speeds of 190 mph cut a 1-2 mile wide path of destruction across 165.7 miles of Kentucky. Mayfield, KY was in the direct path of this storm, and lost over 60 businesses, 8 historic churches, over 1,760 housing and rental units, and critical infrastructure, such as the court house, fire department, police station, power grid, and water treatment plant. With roughly 3,806 households impacted by this event in Graves County alone according to FEMA, and 65% of these individuals being renters, the need was immediately apparent.
The disaster quickly gained national attention, bringing many volunteers, donors, and disaster recovery agencies to the area to assist in the immediate response. As time went on and the focus began to shift towards long term recovery, the need for a Long Term Recovery Group to organize these efforts became apparent.
Birthed out of community meetings under the guidance of national disaster response agencies and National VOAD guidelines, and led by a team of community leaders, the Mayfield Graves County Long Term Recovery Group (MGC LTRG) stood up. The MGC LTRG has since worked to support case management, construction, volunteer, and logistical efforts in Graves County in order to provide a holistic recovery for survivors, advocating for on-going resources and mitigation.
JULY 19, 2023 FLOOD
On July 19, 2023, Mayfield, KY experienced a historic flooding event, setting a state record with 11.28 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. In response to the disaster, the MGC LTRG collaborated with emergency management to gather data on impacted households and assess immediate needs.
The flood affected 139 households in Graves County, 119 of which underwent follow-up needs assessments. Of those impacted, 13 households were displaced, with many more reporting unsafe living conditions due to mold or severe damages. Alarmingly, 93.3% of the affected families did not have flood insurance. Although this data was used by local and state emergency management agencies to advocate for a federal disaster declaration, the request and appeal were both ultimately denied.​
In the immediate aftermath, MGC LTRG's logistics team and Navigators worked to screen for needs, provide referrals for immediate assistance, and collect distribute donations. As the recovery process unfolded, MGC LTRG positioned itself as the liaison between survivors and the limited support available from local, regional, and state organizations, many of which were strained due to the recent December 2021 tornado and the Eastern KY floods of 2022. Despite continued efforts to secure funding, donations, and volunteer support, resources have remained scarce. In the long term, MGC LTRG has taken on case management, volunteer coordination, and construction, continuing to advocate for resources to meet the unmet needs of the affected households. Despite the significant challenges an undeclared disaster in rural Western KY poses, the MGC LTRG has been able to fully recover almost all of the impacted households one year later, thanks to the commitment of local organizations and disaster response partners.
MAY 26, 2024 SEVERE STORMS
On May 26th, 2024, Graves County faced multiple rounds of severe weather that wreaked havoc across all of western Kentucky. The storms unleashed tornadoes and dangerous straight-line winds, causing widespread damage. Kentuckians endured large hail, wind speeds between 60 to 70 mph, and 18 confirmed tornadoes, one of which struck southwest of Mayfield city limits with winds reaching 100 mph. The storm left a trail of tree damage, power outages, and debris.
The MGC LTRG worked to assess the immediate needs and communicate this information to local Emergency Management. In Graves County alone, 55 households were impacted, with 29 reporting property damage—15 of which suffered major damage according to survivors. While 85.5% of the affected households had homeowner’s insurance, the extent of the damage left many needing assistance with cleanup to restore access to their homes and power.
The MGC LTRG swiftly mobilized in the aftermath, with Navigators coordinating repeated outreach to impacted households. They helped connect families to short-term resources, such as SNAP replacement benefits, temporary housing, and tree removal services. In response to 50 requests for volunteer assistance, the MGC LTRG also deployed teams to 32 locations to help with debris and downed tree removal, playing a crucial role in the recovery process for many local families.
April 2-6, 2025 SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Between April 2 and April 6, 2025, Kentucky was struck by a powerful storm system that brought a combination of tornadoes and historic flooding. The outbreak began with a rare Level 5 “high risk” severe weather alert for western Kentucky, signaling the potential for destructive, long-track tornadoes. Over the course of the system, 156 tornadoes touched down across the country, with Kentucky experiencing several touchdowns—one of which clipped Graves County.
At the same time, heavy rainfall drenched much of the state, with totals ranging from five inches to more than fifteen in some areas. Communities near Benton and Hickory saw some of the heaviest downpours, while river levels across Kentucky surged to dangerous heights. The relentless rainfall and flooding forced the closure of more than 500 roadways, inundated neighborhoods, and tragically claimed at least seven lives across the Commonwealth.
In Graves County, residents were once again faced with the challenges of another disaster. Thirty-nine households requested assistance after suffering flood and storm damage. To coordinate the response, the DARCI system was activated to assess survivor needs and securely capture photos of property damage, along with receipts for disaster-related costs. The MGC LTRG used this data to begin early case work and home assessments, connecting survivors to referrals for immediate assistance, coordinating warehousing and logistical support for the American Red Cross, and receiving and distributing limited donations for impacted households.
​
Once response efforts were complete, MGC LTRG transitioned into long-term case management for every eligible household still in need, ensuring families received support for critical home repairs, replacement of essential household items, and reimbursement for major expenses incurred during the disaster.
.jpg)
​Though the storm system left a wide path of destruction across Kentucky, the rapid deployment of local tools like DARCI, combined with the efficient efforts of MGC LTRG and its expansive network of nonprofit partners, ensured that families in Graves County were not left to recover alone. Thanks to an established warehouse for donation intake and a disaster-ready network of both local and national partners, critical supplies and assistance were quickly organized and delivered to those in need, providing timely relief and long-term recovery support.