Volunteers from Carolinas head to Midwest for recovery efforts after deadly tornadoes

CHARLOTTE — Recovery efforts are underway as volunteers work to find survivors and clean up areas in the Midwest that were hit by tornadoes over the weekend.

At least eight people at a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky were killed in the storms over the weekend. They were among dozens of fatalities across several Kentucky counties. The state was the worst-hit by far in the unusual mid-December swarm of twisters across the Midwest and the South that leveled entire communities and left at least 14 people dead in Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri.

Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that only 40 of the 110 people working in the factory at the time were rescued, and that “it’ll be a miracle if anybody else is found alive in it.” But on Sunday, the candle company said that while eight were confirmed dead and eight remained missing, more than 90 others had been located.

Beshear had said Sunday morning that the state’s toll could exceed 100. But after state officials heard the company’s update, he said that afternoon it might be as low as 50.

Local organizations from the Carolinas are sending crews to provide aid after the storms.

“The reality doesn’t hit us until you are on the ground and you can actually see the destruction,” said Charlie Clark, a chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

>>Channel 9 is assisting with disaster relief and has teamed up with the American Red Cross to help provide support to those who have been impacted. For information on how to donate, click here.

Clark said the organization is heading to Trumann, Arkansas, because the area was hit hard by tornadoes.

Some described the devastation as if the town had been hit by a bomb.

Clark has been with Rapid Response Ministries for 10 years and said the purpose of the ministry is to provide spiritual comfort to those who are suffering.

“You need to prepare yourself because emotionally it is draining. It is a spiritual draw when you deal with the grief and the empathy that you see. You feel for those who are suffering,” Clark said.

Clark drives the big rig for the response team and is also responsible for setting up camp for relief efforts.

He said once the response team has set up camp, they build partnerships on the ground and assist with cleanup and recovery efforts.

Clark said he will be spending Sunday night in Jonesboro, Arkansas, before heading to Trumann on Monday morning.

He said the hardest part of the job is having to leave once the job is done.

“So you get here, you make friends, you make fellowships and relationships and then when you have to leave to the next assignment. It is tough because you’ve made connections with your heart,” Clark said.

The American Red Cross and Duke Energy said they are prepared to send assistance if requested.

The Red Cross said they are sending three disaster relief workers from the Carolinas to Kentucky, and more volunteers are heading to Tennessee. The organization is also asking for monetary and blood donations.

More NC volunteers head to Kentucky to aid state hit hardest by deadly tornadoes

More NC volunteers head to Kentucky to aid state hit hardest by deadly tornadoes

The North Wilkesboro Samaritan’s Purse warehouse sent an 18-wheeler loaded with supplies to Kentucky Monday morning.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was allowed onto one of the big rigs which was filled with chain saws, tools and tarps.

The warehouse is the size of several football fields. Over a 48-hour period, three trucks were dispatched; two from the North Wilkesboro location and another from Texas.

One of the trucks from North Carolina arrived at a church in Mayfield, Kentucky -- one of the hardest-hit areas.

Channel 9 spoke with Samaritan’s Purse members on the ground Wilkesboro who said the devastation is wide spread and volunteers are heading out Monday to help.

“To walk alongside these people who have been devastated by these storms, many times, these people don’t know what to do, what’s the steps to take.” said Bruce Poss. “Our volunteers can come along beside them and begin the process.”

Samaritan’s Purse said the second truck from Wilkesboro will end up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They expect to be in the state through the holidays and into January.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(WATCH BELOW: Local organizations head to Midwest to aid in recovery efforts following deadly tornadoes)

Local organizations head to Midwest to aid in recovery efforts following deadly tornadoes

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