Source: CCTV news client
On December 13, a tornado that struck several U.S. states killed at least 88 people. Among them, at least 74 people died in Kentucky, the hardest hit state, and more than 100 people are still unaccounted for.
Kentucky Governor Bayhill said on the 13th that as the search continues, the death toll may rise. About 75 percent of the state's Dawson Springs area has become in ruins.
CCTV reporter Xu Tao: It may be difficult for you to imagine that a few days ago this area where I was located was still a residential area. But after the giant tornado passed by on the night of the 10th, 75 percent of the city, called Dawson Springs, became what it is now. As of the morning of the 13th local time, 13 people have died in this small town with 2700 people, and about 100 people are still unaccounted for.
Reed Gilley, a resident of Dawson Springs, USA: It's horrible, it's like hell on earth. People are now having nothing, too bad, too terrible.
Infrastructure has been severely damaged Many victims have been left homeless
The tornado caused severe damage to the infrastructure of the affected areas, destroying large areas of buildings and leaving many victims homeless. At present, about 26,000 households and businesses in Kentucky have lost power and 10,000 households and businesses have lost water. State officials say devastated victims could have to live for weeks or more in the cold winter without gas, water and electricity.
When the reporter visited Dawson Springs, local residents said that before the 13th, there was not even a mobile phone signal in the city. There is currently only one emergency communications vehicle maintaining intermittent signals in the city, allowing residents to connect with the outside world.
Angela, a resident of Dawson Springs, USA: It's going to rain soon, and a lot of people want to cover their houses with tarp, and even if their houses are still there, the roof may be gone.