A family in Breman, in the US state of Kentucky, have praised the old pre-fab storm shelter that came with their house after it saved their lives during a recent tornado.
Tornadoes have been ravaging the region, leaving many dead in their wake, but it was an old shelter built many years ago that saved the lives of the Evans family.
As the storm began, Justin Pointer led his eight family members and two dogs down the stairs to the prefabricated underground shelter that comprised of a small box, a staircase, and a door that opens like a hole in the ground.
The family said that the tornado was so intense that they could hear the destruction outside as they were forced to hold the door down shut as it rattled violently.
The small shelter only costs around $10,000 and has more than paid for itself after saving the entire family.
As the family emerged from the shelter, they were confronted with what looked like a warzone, with buildings blown apart like matchsticks and debris strewn everywhere.
Many in the local community have rallied to assist the families affected, bringing food, supplies, and offering temporary shelter.
Jim Finch, a volunteer who drove 30 minutes to help those affected, told journalists:
"I know they don't have no electricity, so that means they don't have no electric, no restaurants, no running water, so I just figured I'd do what I can do. Show up with some food and some water. It just needed to be done."
Speaking of the disaster, Mayfield Mayor, Kathy Stewart O'Nan, said in a statement:
"Our infrastructure is so damaged. We have no running water. Our water tower was lost. Our wastewater management was lost, and there's no natural gas to the city. So we have nothing to rely on there. So that is purely survival at this point for so many of our people."
[Based on reporting by: Positive Outlooks]
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