Even after their arms were torn away by a tornado that ripped through their Kentucky home, Paul and Gail Cline refused to let go of one another.
The story of the sixty-year-old couple, who are now fighting for their lives in a hospital bed, is both heartbreaking and inspirational.
A terrible tornado ripped through Laurel County, Kentucky, last Friday, smashing houses and leaving behind unspeakable destruction. Communities throughout the state have been rocked by the tragedy, but despite the sadness, recovery efforts continue, with volunteers, first responders, and even local high school students pitching in to help restore what was lost.
The hurricane completely upended Paul and Gail Cline’s lives, making it difficult for them to just survive.
“I notice an arm moving down the corridor.”
Paul and Gail clung to one another in their bedroom as the winds roared outside—until the twister struck. Taylor Baker and Brandy Bowman, their nieces, said the tornado’s impact was so strong that it tore off both of their opposing arms as they were still holding on to each other.
“I need help,” she declared. In an interview with Lex18, Bowman recalled, “I see an arm down the hallway.” In reality, Gail’s arm was torn apart during the tornado. According to the physicians, they were hugging each other when they lost their opposing arms.
After hearing the shouts, a neighbor hurried to rescue the couple from the debris.
Paul is shocked, and Gail is on life support.
Gail’s condition is grave, but Paul has shown some indications of improvement. Gail was put in a medically induced coma and is still on life support, according to WRTV. Flying debris punctured both lungs and destroyed her ribs, leaving her without one arm.
According to Baker, her uncle still doesn’t really understand what happened because he has dementia.
“I can’t stop thinking about how scared they both were,” she remarked. “There is one thing about them—they are godly people, even though I cannot fathom the fear that was going through their heads.”
Memories spanning generations are now lost.
Their family had owned the once-sturdy mansion for many generations.
It’s reduced to a skeleton of splintered wood, broken glass, and ripped insulation. However, other items, like a robe in their bedroom, are eerily unaltered despite the wreckage.
“You can see where things came through in this bedroom where they were. The neighbor arrived after hearing them yelling for assistance from where they were. Thus, he arrived to assist them. Bowman added, “He dragged them out into the hallway there.”
A devoted dog awaits her family.
Sadie, their 12-year-old dog, was also enmeshed in the confusion. She disappeared during the storm, but astonishingly, she was later discovered sleeping in the remnants of the couple’s bedroom, obediently waiting for someone to come back.
“We performed in each of these homes.”
According to Baker and Bowman, the loss is quite intimate. “Our ma maw raised us in this home as babies. We had dinner in each of these homes and played in each of them. “It’s difficult,” they said.
The women are focused on the future and assisting the Clines in rebuilding, even as they mourn the loss of their family home. The pair will have a long and expensive road to rehabilitation after both of their cars were damaged.
To assist with hospital expenses and housing requirements after Paul and Gail are well enough to leave the hospital, they have started a GoFundMe page.
“They’re strong enough to support each other through this tragedy — just like they did when the storm hit,” the family says, but they are unsure of one other thing.
19 fatalities
Strong tornadoes ripped across Laurel and Pulaski counties in southeast Kentucky on Friday, killing at least 19.
In a heartbreaking letter, Governor Andy Beshear said, “We have lost 19 people to this weather event, each one a child of God who will be missed by their families.” “Please continue to pray for them, the ten patients receiving treatment at UK Hospital, and all those impacted by these storms.”
