Family plans to rebuild 60-year-old business destroyed in tornado

MAYFIELD, Ky. — Cleanup begins for homeowners and several businesses after a tornado rips through a Western Kentucky community.

Wilby Hawkins said he and four other employees were working when the funnel made it to their 14 acres. That’s when he snapped a photo and then headed for shelter.

“I wouldn’t say it sounded like a train. It was just something you can’t explain,” Hawkins said.

The Hawkins family said in the 60 years they’ve been here they’ve never experienced a tornado. “It was an extremely scary feeling. I hope I’m not ever in another one,” Hawkins said.

On Wednesday, employees hammered and drove machinery, but this isn’t part of a daily routine for staff.

“Cleaning up. It’s going to be a long road, but we’re going to do it. That’s all we can do,” Hawkins said.

The debris ranges from downed trees to cars standing upright. “Cars that were 200 yards back have been moved,” Hawkins said.

Other vehicles including a tractor-trailer were overturned. “That was full of things — just unreal, the damage. One of those things you can’t imagine,” Debra Hawkins, Wilby’s mother, said.

The National Weather Service has classified the tornado as an EF-3.

“Nothing’s changed since [Tuesday]. I think it just looks worse because it’s hit us,” Debra said.

Despite employees working while the tornado came through the area, no one was injured.

The Hawkins say they currently are without power and working phones. They plan to rebuild the shop in the same spot.