December 21, 2021

93 dead in 5 states: Tornado victims need our help (Special Report)

1 hour 7 minutes

A special episode of the Carolina Weather Group: The latest on the tornado outbreak across five states, an inside look at those stories of those impacted, and ways for you to help this holiday season.

The tornadoes collapsed an occupied candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, an Amazon warehouse near Edwardsville, Illinois, and a nursing home in Monette, Arkansas.

The people of Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri need our help.

A strong storm system moving across the central and southern United States resulted in widespread severe weather across the region on December 10 and 11. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed 61 tornadoes as of Dec. 20, and several long-track tornadoes. Chief among them was the Quad State Tornado, which lasted over 350 miles and over 8 hours.

Overall, the storms traveled from Arkansas towards the Great Lakes. The most significant damage occurred in Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. Eight states reported tornadoes during the event. The NWS received nearly 400 reports of large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes across the area.

ABC News reports at least 93 people were killed across five states: 78 in Kentucky; six in Illinois; five in Tennessee, after the Associated Press reported an additional death on Saturday; two in Arkansas; and two in Missouri.

HOW TO HELP TORNADO VICTIMS:

The American Red Cross is making it easy to send a quick $10 donation simply by texting “REDCROSS" addressed to the number, 90999. Other donations can be made by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting https://redcross.org online.

The Salvation Army has set up a disaster relief fund for the tornado victims: https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/

North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a state tornado relief fund: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief

The Carolina Weather Group will be donating our December proceeds from you, our Patreon supporters, to the tornado relief efforts. Your support of our show helps to make these efforts possible. Thank you.