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The death toll from powerful tornadoes that devastated towns in Kentucky is likely to pass 100, the governor says, as hope of finding survivors wanes. Andy Beshear said this was the most devastating tornado event in the state's history, with at least 80 confirmed deaths. The town of Mayfield has been described as "ground zero", with hundreds of buildings flattened.

Kyanna Parsons Perez was one of a 110 workers on a night shift at a candle factory in Mayfield when the tornado struck and totally destroyed the building. She raised the alarm for the emergency services, who were then able to locate her. She was among forty people recovered from the wreckage, but she says there are others who did not survive.

"There was rumbling, thunder, my ears popped, the building rocked, and then it collapsed on us. There wasn't much that could have saved us."

Photo: Damage at a candle factory after a tornado ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, US, December 11, 2021 Credit: Reuters