GREENSBORO, N.C. — The desperate search for survivors continued Sunday as dozens are feared to be dead after tornadoes ripped through Kentucky and other states in the Midwest and south. Crews are still in search and recovery efforts, trying to find those who are unaccounted for.
Emily Parrott grew up in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, and now lives in Walnut Cove. Parrott said a lot of her family, including her 76-year-old father, still lives in Dawson Springs. She said she was on the phone with her father when the tornado hit.
“He hung up to seek shelter, and before he hung up, I said, 'Daddy, please call me tomorrow and let me know that you’re OK,' and he told me he would," Parrott said.
Thankfully, her family is alright, but a lot of them are now without homes.
Samaritan's Purse, a relief organization based in Boone, is less than 100 miles west of Dawson Springs in Mayfield, Kentucky. Elliott Willis is the Program Manager for the organization and said as soon as they arrived, his heart broke for the community.
“It’s been very difficult to turn the corner and see that no, it wasn’t just that one street, it was more devastation around every corner," Willis said.
Appalachian State Athletics is trying to help victims of the tornado by asking fans to donate items at upcoming athletic events.
“Anytime people are hurting, you do what you can to support (them). It’s part of what we’re called to do," Sarah Strickland with Community Relations at App State said.
App State is collecting the items below to help those in need:
- Household bleach
- Rubber gloves
- Bottled water
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Protective goggles
- Hand soap
- Canned food
The rebuilding process will be long and ongoing but there are ways you can help.
- The Salvation Army said they are there to provide food, drinks, shelter, emotional and spiritual care, and other emergency services to survivors and rescue workers.
- Samaritan's Purse, the non-denominational Christian relief organization, also helps those in need.