London couple recounts huddling in basement as tornado destroyed home

LONDON, Ky. (WATE) — Neighbors in London are beginning the long road to recovery after their community was reduced to rubble in a tornado.

The EF-4 tornado tore through an area near the London-Corbin Airport, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed at least 17 people died in Laurel County.

Keith and JoAnn Collins live across the street from the airport. They were at home when the tornado hit.

“We were sitting there, and the electricity and everything finally went off, and I heard the wind, and I told her it was time to move,” Keith Collins said.

The couple braced for impact, sheltering in their basement. While taking shelter, a window in the basement was blown out.

“We just huddled down next to this front wall, until it was over. She was over in the floor and I was over top of her. Debris was just flying all around us and everything,” he explained.

Once the storm passed, firefighters helped them get out of what was left of their home. Their roof, side wall, and garage were all ripped off. Their car was found crushed in a neighbor’s yard. Despite this, they consider themselves lucky.

“I really don’t know where we would have gone upstairs if we hadn’t had a basement, because everything is pretty much destroyed, or it’s pushed against the center of the house so we were kind of shocked,” Keith Collins said.

The couple is waiting on the insurance company to come look at their home, but they expect it to be declared a total loss. They were only able to salvage a few of their belongings, but they say support from volunteers and the community has made a big difference.

“Offering, calling, texting, ‘anything that we can do for you,’ people showing up and just walking around, helping cleaning up and stuff. The community has been really awesome,” Keith Collins said.

Their beloved Kentucky hillside is now overlooking miles of debris. But they’re not going anywhere.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to rebuild, because all this farmland back here in ours and you can’t beat the view,” he said.

The couple is currently staying at a family member’s house.