Mayfield, Ky., mayor: ‘There’s always hope. We hope for a miracle’

Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan of Mayfield, Ky., on Sunday said she is hoping for a “miracle” as authorities work to rescue residents after a tornado ripped through the state this weekend. 

“There’s always hope. We hope for a miracle. We hope for miracles in the days to come,” O’Nan said when asked about the state’s rescue and recovery efforts during an interview on NBC’s “Sunday Today With Willie Geist.”

“But right now what we hope for is that our surviving people are warm and cared for and having place to shelter,” she added.

On #SundayTODAY: Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan gives the latest on Mayfield, Kentucky, where much of the town has been destroyed following deadly tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/DqnXoiEU9T

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 12, 2021

A tornado tore through Kentucky from Friday night into Saturday, moving through the state for more than 200 miles. At least 70 people are dead, and tens of thousands of homes are without power. Storms also hit Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.

Few buildings are reportedly left intact in Mayfield. More than 100 people were working at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory, which was leveled, when the storm hit. 

Kentucky authorities are now urging individuals not to travel to localities affected by the storm as emergency personnel work through rescue and recovery efforts.

The Kentucky State Police said traffic control devices are not working and lighting is not available at many intersections because of “widespread power outages,” creating “a serious hazard.”

O’Nan on Sunday said she woke up Saturday morning after the storm and saw “not what I ever wanted to see in my entire life.”

“I remember walking out at 6:15 yesterday morning, and it was just the most heartbreaking thing I’ve seen,” she said. “I hope to never see anything like that again.”

Asked what is giving her community hope when churches were destroyed with Christmas just days away, O’Nan pointed to “the volunteerism that sprang up.”

“The volunteerism, the ‘What can I do?’ is what gives us hope today and our prayers, of course,” she added.