A Kentucky woman who lost both of her parents in a devastating EF-4 tornado that tore through the London community said she has no words to express how devastated she is and how her heart is broken since the tragedy almost a week ago.
According to Kentucky officials, the severe weather caused at least 19 fatalities in the state, with Laurel County accounting for 17 of those deaths.
Amanda Radford said, “My heart just honestly is broken because this was their stuff. Even though we were told there was nothing left, there was nothing left. Nothing.”
Her parents, Richard and Wanda, were among the Laurel County victims that Radford was referring to.
“We’ve actually been able to uncover photos,” she stated. “There’s also been photos found in Hazard and Knott County from what I’ve found on Facebook that people have recovered as well. So, their stuff has traveled many miles.”
Radford’s parents’ house was completely destroyed by the tornado, but hers escaped the storm unscathed.
“We could feel it,” she stated. “We got some debris and just some garbage and stuff like that. We didn’t really get a lot of like, family photos or anything from the people on our road. We got some tree damage. But other than that, our house was good.”
Radford said it was startling to witness the destruction after the storm passed.
“It’s still overwhelming,” she stated. “As you know, last night they evacuated everybody in the area, so we had to leave our home again last night. But just to come through, it’s chilling. There’s no words for it at all.”
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Due to the possibility of more severe weather, residents of London and the surrounding communities were evacuated on Tuesday.
Radford added that her parents loved everyone they met, even as cleanup and recovery efforts get underway.
“My children will remember them as they were,” she stated. “They were fun. They loved everybody. It did not matter who you were. If you came to them, they loved you.”
It has also been consoling to hear tales about her parents.
“They were not my blood parents, but they adopted me and my family,” she stated. “I just want people to remember them for how they loved. They loved with unconditional love. And honestly, I’ve never met another couple whose love like they have.”
