Across the Midwest and South, cities lie in complete destruction due to the deadly tornadoes that have left over 70 dead and hundreds missing, with ages ranging from 2 months to 98 years old. The tornadoes moved throughout the southeast region of the United States, including the states of Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Illinois. Primarily affected has been the state of Kentucky, which alone had 30 tornadoes, leaving several rural cities wrecked and completely devastated.

Typically, December is an unusual time for tornadoes to form in the United States, with peak months usually being late spring into summer. The tornadoes were described as moving at speeds of 95 mph, wrecking homes primarily late at night with individuals having no chance of warning. It is estimated that the storm traveled 227 miles total, which could be the longest in recorded history.

The National Weather Service cited these tornadoes as a type of “derecho” often described as an inland hurricane, coming from the Spanish word meaning “direct ahead”. Derechos typically have no eye; however, they boast powerful winds which cause extreme damage.

In Kentucky, more than 1,000 homes and buildings have been destroyed, with the county of Dawson Springs alone having 75% of its infrastructure lost. Families have lost their homes, friends, and all of their possessions due the travesty of the tornadoes, with dozens being killed in a candle factory and an Amazon Warehouse after the buildings collapsed.

Governor Beshar announced on December 18th that all those missing had been accounted for in Kentucky.