Photos: Deadly storms and tornadoes leave wake of destruction
Tornadoes and severe weather caused catastrophic damage across multiple states late Friday into Saturday, December 10-11, 2021.
In this photo, people survey damage in Mayfield, Kentucky, which suffered widespread devastation and dozens of deaths.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A line of cars drives past damage in downtown Mayfield, Kentucky, on Saturday, December 11.
At least eight people were killed in a candle factory in Mayfield, where more than 100 workers were inside when a tornado struck.
Mayfield, Kentucky
Emergency response workers dig through the rubble of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory. The factory collapsed, trapping workers inside.
"All you heard was screaming and hollering and people howling for 'help me, help me.' And you crying and want to help them, but you can't help them because you're trying to help yourself because you don't know you're going to live or die," Barbara Tate, an employee at the factory, told CBS News.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A woman walks away from what is left of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory as emergency workers comb through the rubble.
"This is likely to be the most severe tornado outbreak in our state's history," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Saturday.
Mayfield, Kentucky
Another image of emergency response workers digging through the rubble at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory.
"We had to, at times, crawl over casualties to get to live victims," said Jeremy Creason, the city's fire chief and EMS director.
Mayfield, Kentucky
An aerial view of the remnants of the Mayfield Consumer Products factory, which was devastated by a tornado. Employees were working overtime making candles for the holidays when the tornado hit.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A drone photo shows an aerial view of the damage in Mayfield, Kentucky, on December 12, 2021, after a tornado devastated the community.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
"By Gods grace we survived" is painted on the door of an apartment building destroyed by a tornado in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
A resident surveys the damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky, after a tornado struck the area.
At least seven other states suffered also damage from the severe storms and tornadoes.
Monette, Arkansas
A tree fell onto Monette Manor nursing home. One person there was killed and about 20 were trapped.
Monette, Arkansas
The powerful storm shattered windows and ripped the roof off the Monette Manor nursing home in Arkansas.
"Probably the most remarkable thing is that there's not a greater loss of life," Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said after touring the wreckage. "It is catastrophic. It's a total destruction."
Monette, Arkansas
Nursing home assistant Loretta Duggin walks down a hallway in the Monette Manor nursing home in Arkansas on December 12, 2021 after it was struck by a tornado.
"The six minutes in this place felt like a lifetime. There were only four of us working when the tornado hit, but we managed to get all but one to safety. The majority of them can't walk and are in beds," she said.
Monette, Arkansas
A tornado ripped through Monette Manor, a nursing home in Arkansas. At least one person there died.
Edwardsville, Illinois
Emergency vehicles staged outside an Amazon fulfillment center in Edwardsville, Illinois, after it was heavily damaged by a tornado that killed at least six workers.
"This is a devastating tragedy for our Amazon family and our focus is on supporting our employees and partners," Amazon spokesperson Richard Rocha said in a written statement.
Edwardsville, Illinois
Workers remove debris from the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Edwardsville, Illinois, on December 11, 2021, after it was hit by a tornado. At least six workers were killed and dozens were trapped inside.
Edwardsville, Illinois
This image taken from drone video shows the extent of the damage at an Amazon.com warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois, after it was struck by a tornado.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A feed store in Mayfield suffered severe damage, along with many other businesses and homes in the community.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the twister was on the ground for more than 200 miles in the state. Meteorologists say it could turn out to be a record.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Residents look at damage in a neighborhood in Bowling Green, where at least 11 people were reported dead.
The city is about 130 miles east of Mayfield, which suffered a catastrophic direct hit.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
A resident of the The Cardinal Inn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, assesses the damage.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
The storms tore the roof off this house in Bowling Green.
"This was an incredible storm that lasted a long time and covered a lot of territory," said Larry Vannozzi, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office covering the Nashville area.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
A large semi trailer is flipped over and pushed against a building.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A view of the damaged Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mayfield, Kentucky, after a tornado tore off its roof.
Mayfield, Kentucky
Angela Kirks and Thomas Kirks, who lost their house, are seen in the aftermath of the tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
The Baptist Health Deaconess Medical Group building is damaged after a tornado tore through rural Kentucky.
Mayfield, Kentucky
An aerial photo shows some of the damage after a tornado hit Mayfield, Kentucky. A school bus lies flipped on its side amid piles of debris from homes and businesses.
Mayfield, Kentucky
People inspect the remains of a destroyed business in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
People walk through the rubble of a building destroyed by a tornado in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
An American flag flies amid the rubble from a tornado that tore through Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Cambridge Shores, Kentucky
A damaged vehicle sits amid debris following a tornado in Cambridge Shores, Kentucky.
Earlington, Kentucky
A hymnal remains on a pew of a destroyed Baptist church following a tornado in Earlington, Kentucky, in this photo taken Monday, December 13, 2021.
Cambridge Shores, Kentucky
A resident sits in his truck surrounded by damage following a tornado in Cambridge Shores, Kentucky.
Earlington, Kentucky
A derailed CSX freight train was thrown from its tracks by a tornado in Earlington, Kentucky.
Mayfield, Kentucky
Derrian Carruthers, 34, embraces his cousin, Crystal Parrott, on December 15, 2021 amid damage from the tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Mayfield, Kentucky
This home in Mayfield, Kentucky, was badly damaged by a tornado that devastated the town as well as communities in several other states.
Mayfield, Kentucky
Aerial view shows a wide swath of homes and businesses destroyed by a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Desiray Cartledge, 3, stands in the rubble of her house in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
Dickson, Tennessee
A view of the damage in Dickson, Tennessee, after a devastating outbreak of tornadoes ripped through several states.
Dickson, Tennessee
Braden McCann surveys the damage as he stands outside his home in Dickson, Tennessee, after devastating outbreak of tornadoes ripped through several states.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
A man walks through the wrecked remains of houses in a neighborhood off Russellville Road in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
A resident picks through belongings from a damaged home following a tornado in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on Saturday, December 12, 2021.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A drone photo shows an aerial view of the damage caused by tornadoes in Mayfield, Kentucky, on December 12, 2021.
Mayfield, Kentucky
James Strickland prepares breakfast on the porch of his father's home on Sunday, December 12, 2021, after it was destroyed by the tornado that ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky.
Mayfield, Kentucky
A person takes a cell phone image of tornado damage in Mayfield, Kentucky, after what President Joe Biden called "one of the largest" storm outbreaks in U.S. history.
Mayfield, Kentucky
People leave flowers as a memorial for the victims of the deadly tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky, on the steps of the damaged courthouse on December 15, 2021.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Pat and Philip Bruce wait outside of their tornado-damaged home to listen to President Joe Biden speak during his visit on December 15, 2021 in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
With local resident 7-year-old Dane Maddox by his side, US President Joe Biden speaks to the press after touring areas damaged by Friday's tornado in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on December 15, 2021.
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
A resident speaks on the phone amidst debris from a home destroyed by a tornado in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.