EOC providing contact info for ongoing response efforts
MAYFIELD, Ky. (Dec. 12, 2021) – The Regional Emergency Operations Center at Mayfield is coordinating a multi-agency response to the catastrophic tornado that caused major damage in Mayfield/Graves County and areas of Marshall County.
Rescue and recovery efforts continue at the Candle Factor on Mayfield’s west side. As of this morning,
The EOC is continuing to refine contact numbers and drop-off locations for donations and points of contact for families in need of assistance.
Shelter
An initial assessment determined that more than 400 people are likely to seek emergency overnight shelter and many will require shelter for a week or more. Overnight there were approximately 100 in shelters overnight. There are numerous families who are staying in their homes outside of the damage corridor who do not have electricity but may need assistance with food. The Red Cross has established shelters at the following locations:
First United Methodist Church100 Church St.Hickman, KY 42050Justin Jackson270-254-0261 Wingo
Old Cumberland Presbyterian Church334 Lebanon St, Wingo, KY 42088Contact: Pastor RB Mays270-983-0333
The Way Center449 Lebanon Street, Wingo, KY, 42088Contact: Pastor Ike Murphy270-564-0699
Fancy Farm Knights of Columbus Hall20 KY Hwy 39Fancy Farm, Kentucky, 42039, Contact: Todd Hayden, Commissioner270-705-1051
Lone Oak First Baptist Church3601 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003Contact: Pastor Hank Garner704-699-3473
The EOC has identified a need for a shelter with support for those with medical needs. These shelters will also feed families impacted by the storm. Approximately 100 people are being housed in a shelter at Wingo for the night. Additional shelters will be organized as required. His House Church has food at their facility at 1250 KY Hwy 303/Cuba Road. Contact the church for additional info.
Food and Supply Dropoff locations
food, supply, and cash donation dropoff have been established at Heartland Worship Center off I-24 Exit 7 in Paducah.
Donations
Individuals who have material donations or wish to donate cash may call 270-297-7772 or 270-331-0945.
Mayfield-Graves County Tornado Relief Fund
An account to handle cash donations has been set up through Independence Bank. Donations may be directed to the fund via Independence Bank, P.O. Box 9, Fancy Farm, Kentucky 42034. An electronic donation system will be organized as soon as possible.
Volunteers – General
At this time the response effort has sufficient volunteers. Volunteers should be part of an organized group that has a specific mission in mind. In the coming weeks, volunteers will be needed to assist individual home and business owners with cleanup efforts. Groups who are organizing volunteers to assist with cleanup efforts in the coming weeks should call 270-331-1979.
Volunteers- Medical
There is a need for a shelter directed at individuals with medical needs. Volunteers with medical skills may call 270-804-1742 to contact the health department for info.
Transportation
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 1 crews from Ballard, McCracken, Crittenden, and Livingston counties are on-site assisting the Graves County Highway Maintenance Crew with efforts to clear as many city streets and county roads as possible over the next week. They will be working closely with local utility personnel to assure the safety of crews and the public when power lines are encountered. Initially, crews will only remove material along the roadway and sidewalks. Removal of debris from private property will wait until later. Efforts are now focused on clearing streets to facilitate a damage assessment survey.
Traffic Signals
Due to power outages, we have a number of traffic signals out of service across the region. 4-Way Stop signs have been placed at these intersections. There have been a number of crashes around the region at these locations when drivers did not exercise patience. When
Family Unification
His House Church is establishing a center to assist those with missing family members. The center will collect basic information to be shared with police agencies who are attempting to more accurately determine the number of missing. His House Church is located at 1250 KY Hwy 303/Cuba Road, Mayfield, KY.
Electric Utilities
West KY RECC reports of their 30,000 members, approximately 28,000 are without electrical service. An initial assessment indicates more than 150 utility poles are damaged or destroyed. Nine of the system’s 13 sub-stations are damaged or otherwise not energized. Customers may check the WKRECC Facebook page for more info. Mayfield Electric and Water have similar issues. Has 25 mutual-aid crews on-site to assist with restoring power – an effort that could take a week or more to complete. Each crew will be escorted by a local utility representative. WKRECC crews and emergency response crews will be assisting Mayfield Electric & Water on Monday. A Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) survey of cross-country transmission lines indicates some significant transmission issues. Crews are mobilizing- there is no estimated repair schedule.
Water Utilities
The City of Mayfield is under a boil water order that will likely last at least a week. With the use of generators to operate pumps, the city is producing water at a trickle rate to provide flow for basic use. Residents are urged to conserve water until normal water production capacity is restored.
Outside Assistance
50 National Guard members are on-site to assist law enforcement with security functions. There is a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew for Mayfield and parts of Graves County impacted by the tornado.
Medical Services
Jackson Purchase Median Center is at capacity. Additional ambulances will be stationed at the hospital to assist with patient transfers should the need arise.
Use of Generators
Homeowners using generators should be aware of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep generators away from windows and doors. Use caution when fueling to avoid the opportunity for fire. Use caution to prevent generators from back feeding along power lines. Homeowners should also be aware of the hazards associated with the use of unvented space heaters.
Additional Assistance
Counseling teams will be available for families of victims and those who are in need of trauma counseling due to their experiences during the tornado. A mechanism for contacting the teams is being developed.
Medication and Package Deliveries
Fed Ex and UPS have deliveries of medication and other packages that would normally go to addresses within the damage corridor. They will set up a pick-up location at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds and notify the intended recipient through their electronic notification system as packages arrive on-site.
The Regional EOC anticipates an update sometime Sunday.
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police are assisting the Regional EOC by providing communication services.
To get traffic advisories and alerts for KYTC District 1 counties via email please go to https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYTC/signup/13651 and click on the District 1 counties you regularly drive through, or for any of the specialty corridors you travel. Be sure to check your SPAM filtering to assure Gov Delivery is on your approved list.
Timely traffic advisories for the 12 counties of KYTC Highway District 1 are available by going to www.facebook.com/kytcdistrict1. You do not have to be a Facebook member to access this page.