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People gather at a vigil on Tuesday, December 14, in Mayfield, Kentucky, for those who were killed when the roof collapsed at a candle factory.
People gather at a vigil on Tuesday, December 14, in Mayfield, Kentucky, for those who were killed when the roof collapsed at a candle factory.
Chris Kenning/USA Today Network/Reuters

In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit central and southern US

Updated 9:37 AM EST, Wed December 15, 2021
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More than 50 tornadoes were reported across eight states late Friday and early Saturday, killing dozens of people and leaving a trail of devastation.

The severe weather caused the collapse of a candle factory in Kentucky, an Amazon warehouse in western Illinois and a nursing home in Arkansas, killing people at each site and leaving responders scrambling to rescue survivors.

"The level of devastation is unlike anything I have ever seen," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Members of the Bowlin family keep warm next to a wood fire in the front yard of their home on December 14, after losing power in the aftermath of a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Members of the Bowlin family keep warm next to a wood fire in the front yard of their home on December 14, after losing power in the aftermath of a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Adrees Latif/Reuters
Christie Bonds sits with her 6-month-old dog "Jingles" in a shelter for the displaced, as she waits to be transported to better accommodations, in Wingo, Kentucky, on December 14.
Christie Bonds sits with her 6-month-old dog "Jingles" in a shelter for the displaced, as she waits to be transported to better accommodations, in Wingo, Kentucky, on December 14.
Gerald Herbert/AP
Devin Carlton consoles his fiancee, Asiah Alubahi, outside of where their former apartment used to be in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Monday, December 13. "We came back to try and recover the ultrasound of our daughter that we lost to a miscarriage in 2015," Alubahi said. "I started crying when we found it."
Devin Carlton consoles his fiancee, Asiah Alubahi, outside of where their former apartment used to be in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Monday, December 13. "We came back to try and recover the ultrasound of our daughter that we lost to a miscarriage in 2015," Alubahi said. "I started crying when we found it."
Alton Strupp/The Courier-Journal/USA Today Network
Hannah Binder climbs out of her car in Edwardsville, Illinois, on December 13. She was gathering some personal items from the car after it had been hit by a tree on Friday.
Hannah Binder climbs out of her car in Edwardsville, Illinois, on December 13. She was gathering some personal items from the car after it had been hit by a tree on Friday.
David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP
Anthony Vasquez plays with his 4-month-old son, Michael, inside a makeshift shelter in Wingo, Kentucky, on December 13.
Anthony Vasquez plays with his 4-month-old son, Michael, inside a makeshift shelter in Wingo, Kentucky, on December 13.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
J'il Wimbley looks over his sister's high school yearbook, which he found in the remains of his father's home in Mayfield on December 13. Wimbley's father, who was the only one home at the time of the tornado, took cover under a dining table as the home collapsed.
J'il Wimbley looks over his sister's high school yearbook, which he found in the remains of his father's home in Mayfield on December 13. Wimbley's father, who was the only one home at the time of the tornado, took cover under a dining table as the home collapsed.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
The devastation in Mayfield is seen through a broken bedroom window on December 12.
The devastation in Mayfield is seen through a broken bedroom window on December 12.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
Red Cross volunteers sort donations at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on December 12 for people affected by tornadoes.
Red Cross volunteers sort donations at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on December 12 for people affected by tornadoes.
Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service/TNS
Search-and-rescue crews work at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory early Sunday.
Search-and-rescue crews work at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory early Sunday.
Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
Desiray Cartledge, 3, stands in the rubble of her house in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on December 12.
Desiray Cartledge, 3, stands in the rubble of her house in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, on December 12.
Austin Anthony for The Washington Post/Getty Images
People gather belongings from a damaged home on December 12 in Mayfield.
People gather belongings from a damaged home on December 12 in Mayfield.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
A family photo lies among the debris inside a house on December 12 after a tornado in Dawson Springs.
A family photo lies among the debris inside a house on December 12 after a tornado in Dawson Springs.
Michael Clubb/AP
James Strickland prepares breakfast on the porch of his father's home on December 12 in Mayfield.
James Strickland prepares breakfast on the porch of his father's home on December 12 in Mayfield.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
The front steps of a house are all that remain standing among storm damage in Dawson Springs on December 12.
The front steps of a house are all that remain standing among storm damage in Dawson Springs on December 12.
Michael Clubb/AP
Destruction is seen in Mayfield on Saturday, December 11.
Destruction is seen in Mayfield on Saturday, December 11.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
A damaged theater is seen in Mayfield on December 11.
A damaged theater is seen in Mayfield on December 11.
Liam Kennedy/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Irene Noltner, in a pink hat, consoles Jody O'Neill outside The Lighthouse, a women and children's shelter that was destroyed in Mayfield.
Irene Noltner, in a pink hat, consoles Jody O'Neill outside The Lighthouse, a women and children's shelter that was destroyed in Mayfield.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network
Volunteers at Henry Moss Middle School arrange donations for tornado victims on Saturday night in Bowling Green.
Volunteers at Henry Moss Middle School arrange donations for tornado victims on Saturday night in Bowling Green.
Amira Karaound/Reuters
Chris Buchanan, center, and Niki Thompson, right, attempt to rescue Cheyenne, a dog, from a tornado-damaged home in Mayfield on Saturday.
Chris Buchanan, center, and Niki Thompson, right, attempt to rescue Cheyenne, a dog, from a tornado-damaged home in Mayfield on Saturday.
Mark Humphrey/AP
An overturned tree sits in front of a tornado-damaged home in Mayfield.
An overturned tree sits in front of a tornado-damaged home in Mayfield.
Mark Humphrey/AP
Kenny Sanford exits his mother-in-law's apartment through a collapsed wall on Saturday in Mayfield.
Kenny Sanford exits his mother-in-law's apartment through a collapsed wall on Saturday in Mayfield.
Mark Humphrey/AP
People stand among the debris in Mayfield.
People stand among the debris in Mayfield.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
A person stands among the damage and debris in Bowling Green on Saturday, December 11.
A person stands among the damage and debris in Bowling Green on Saturday, December 11.
Gunnar Word/AFP/Getty Images
A birthday card lies among the debris in Mayfield.
A birthday card lies among the debris in Mayfield.
Mark Humphrey/AP
A man walks through a damaged area at Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Saturday.
A man walks through a damaged area at Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville, Tennessee, on Saturday.
George Walker IV/The Tennessean/USA Today Network
Severe damage at the Monette Manor nursing home in Monette, Arkansas, is seen on Saturday. In the northeastern Arkansas city, at least one person died after a tornado damaged the nursing home Friday night, trapping others inside before they were rescued. At least 20 people were injured at the facility, Mayor Bob Blankenship told CNN.
Severe damage at the Monette Manor nursing home in Monette, Arkansas, is seen on Saturday. In the northeastern Arkansas city, at least one person died after a tornado damaged the nursing home Friday night, trapping others inside before they were rescued. At least 20 people were injured at the facility, Mayor Bob Blankenship told CNN.
Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal/USA Today Network
A trail of destruction is seen in Bowling Green.
A trail of destruction is seen in Bowling Green.
Clinton Lewis
Tom Wheeler with Peel & Holland Insurance removes what he can from his office in Mayfield.
Tom Wheeler with Peel & Holland Insurance removes what he can from his office in Mayfield.
Denny Simmons/Evansville Courier and Press/USA Today Network
People work at the scene of a train derailment in Earlington, Kentucky.
People work at the scene of a train derailment in Earlington, Kentucky.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
Damage to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mayfield is seen on Saturday.
Damage to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mayfield is seen on Saturday.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Employees and friends of La Azteca try to salvage food items after the eatery was destroyed in downtown Mayfield.
Employees and friends of La Azteca try to salvage food items after the eatery was destroyed in downtown Mayfield.
Matt Stone/Courier-Journal/USA Today Network.
A derailed train is seen amid damage and debris in Earlington.
A derailed train is seen amid damage and debris in Earlington.
Cheney Orr/Reuters
Emergency workers search through what is left of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory.
Emergency workers search through what is left of the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory.
John Amis/AFP/Getty Images
Heavy damage is seen in downtown Mayfield.
Heavy damage is seen in downtown Mayfield.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
People search through rubble in Mayfield.
People search through rubble in Mayfield.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Damage is seen in Dickson County, Tennessee.
Damage is seen in Dickson County, Tennessee.
George Walker IV/The Tennessean via AP
Debris and structural damage can be seen at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield early Saturday.
Debris and structural damage can be seen at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory in Mayfield early Saturday.
Brett Adair/LSM
Rescue personnel work at an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville, Illinois, that was heavily damaged during storms on Friday, December 10.
Rescue personnel work at an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville, Illinois, that was heavily damaged during storms on Friday, December 10.
Jeff Roberson/AP

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