
TAMMY BLAKEMORE
Finding Strength Through Faith and Community

On the night of December 10, 2021, Tammy Blakemore was preparing for a visit from her daughter, who lives in California. Tammy and her daughter had discussed the weather forecast, but Tamy wasn’t too concerned because she had always heard a myth that Mayfield was too low for a tornado to hit. It was odd to her that it was as warm as it was for a December night. Not realizing that a tornado was headed her way, her thoughts were more focused on running errands than seeking shelter.
As the winds intensified, Tammy decided to take refuge in her bathroom, remaining calm at first. Her concern grew when the power went out. She recalls, “I texted my family and told them a tornado was coming and that I loved them. I heard the train sound that people talk about. I heard the trees hitting my house. It was raining so hard. I had no idea how bad it was until the next day.”
The next day, Tammy discovered the destruction the tornado had left behind. Trees and limbs had fallen on her roof, creating a hole that allowed rain to seep in, damaging her bedroom and furniture. Soon, mold and mildew added to the damage. Her car windows were shattered, leaving her unable to drive. “I was in survival mode," Tammy says. "It is difficult for me to leave home due to my disability. I was worried that my health would decline. I had some money but not enough for a long-term hotel stay. I just couldn’t believe that this devastation had happened to Mayfield.”

In the days following the tornado, Tammy appreciated the people who went door-to-door checking on survivors. Unfortunately, due to the unsafe conditions of her home, she had no choice but to leave, despite her disability. She stayed with her children while her landlord tarped her roof. After about a week, when electricity was restored, she was able to return home.
While staying with her daughter, Tammy learned about assistance for tornado survivors from the news and began making calls. Tamy expressed that she feels people like her with disabilities and people with no Internet access had more difficulty knowing how to get assistance. “It was difficult filling out applications, like the FEMA application,” she shared. Tammy felt that the tornado exacerbated the challenges for people in rundown homes, especially when landlords couldn’t make the properties livable again.
One of Tammy’s long-term struggles was the loss of her car. Without transportation, her independence was severely limited. But eventually, a local church vacuumed the glass from her car, and her nephew covered the broken windows with plastic, making it drivable again.
Tammy recalls receiving help from many others, as well. “There were so many offering food, and people would come by and leave flyers on how to get assistance. I was impressed at how the people of Mayfield and Graves County came together to help one another. You were not going to go hungry.”
One of the people delivering meals gave Tammy a flier about the Mayfield Graves Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG), which was organized to help tornado survivors. Tammy recalls, “You were very good about seeing what I needed and what you could help me get.” LTRG helped Tammy afford a moving company to relocate her to a safe and sanitary home nearby. “I so appreciate Long-Term for keeping me updated on what I could replace and what I was entitled to. You encouraged me if I needed something to get it.”
When asked about how she coped with the emotional toll of the disaster, Tammy said, “Realizing how much worse it could have been. I attend church weekly, and I knew that my faith would get me through. I felt I was blessed and teachable.”
What got her through the toughest moments? “The Lord. My family...we supported each other. The churches, both local and from out of town, were very supportive, always checking on me.”
Since the tornado, Tammy takes weather warnings more seriously. Now, she stays prepared with food, flashlights, and batteries. She offers this advice: “Be prepared. Realize the necessities needed to sustain you. Take care of your business each day, if you can. Have a will so your kids know where things are. Don’t get greedy. Know your neighbors and get close with your community. Reach out and help others. Have a purpose in life by being a part of your community, and don’t let excuses keep you from it.”