The search for survivors is underway in London, Kentucky, after powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes moved through the area Friday night.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader website, the storms formed Friday evening in Missouri and a supercell traveled more than 500 miles, bringing with it a series of deadly tornadoes. Homes and businesses were flattened, and at least 19 people were killed in Kentucky.
Video shot by WLKY-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, shows London-Corbin Magee Airport (KLOZ) looking more like a construction site with piles of wreckage from hangars and airplanes.
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The London Police Department put up a Facebook post Monday from the Kentucky airport, which is being used as a staging area for emergency crews. It was noted that the airport does not have power, so the phones and internet are not working. There was a NOTAM advising the airport does not have fuel available at this time.
Donations are being collected at the airport. The items needed include:
- Nonperishable food items
- Baby food
- Diaperswipes
- New socks and underwear (due to safety/health concerns)
- New shoes (due to safety/health concerns)
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Tarps
- Nails and screws
- Trash bags
- Batteries
- Plastic wrap
- Dog/cat food
- First aid/medical supplies
- Tampons
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Wash cloths/towels
- Hair brushes/hairbows
- Flashlights/lanterns
- Razors/shaving cream
A medical clinic has also been set up at the airport to prevent “little injuries from becoming big ones,” according to authorities. Among the services being offered are tetanus shots.
Airport Damage
The Beechcraft T-34 Association uses the airport to practice formation flying and flight maneuvers. A pair of T-34s were among the aircraft destroyed in the storm. There were photos of a damaged medical helicopter surrounded by debris as well, as several hangars were flattened and the aircraft inside crushed.
The airport is also the home of Kolb Aircraft. According to a representative from the company, none of its staff was injured, however, the Kolb hangar and factory was destroyed. The staff were in the process of salvaging what it could and had not yet determined the extent of the damage to the business.
