Tornado Tears Couple Apart — But Not Their Bond
Paul and Gail Cline never let go of each other, not even when a violent tornado ripped through their Kentucky home, severing their arms while they held tightly on.
Now, the couple in their 60s is fighting for their lives in the hospital, their story emerging as both heartbreaking and inspiring.
A Storm That Shattered Lives
Last Friday, a de.adly tornado tore across Laurel County, Kentucky, flattening homes and leaving behind a trail of devastation.
Communities throughout the region have been shaken, yet in the face of heartbreak, volunteers, first responders, and even high school students have come together to begin the long recovery.
Among the hardest hit were Paul and Gail Cline, whose world was turned upside down in an instant.
Holding On Through the Chaos
As the tornado approached, Paul and Gail clung to one another in their bedroom. The storm’s violent force tore through their home and their bodies.
According to their nieces, Taylor Baker and Brandy Bowman, the twister’s impact was so severe that it severed their opposite arms as they remained locked in each other’s embrace.
“She said, ‘I need help. I see an arm down the hallway,’” Bowman told Lex18. “It turned out to be Gail’s, torn off during the tornado. The doctors think the reason they lost opposite arms is because they were holding each other.”
A neighbor, hearing their screams, rushed into the wreckage and pulled the couple out.
Critical Condition, Lingering Trauma
Gail’s injuries were extensive. In addition to losing her arm, she suffered broken ribs and punctured lungs from flying debris. She remains on life support in a medically induced coma. Paul, who lives with dementia, has shown slight improvement but still doesn’t fully understand what happened.
“All I can picture is how terrified they must have been,” said Baker. “But one thing I know — they’ve always leaned on their faith.”
Generations of Memories Gone
The house the Clines lived in had been in their family for decades. Now, all that remains is a shattered frame of glass, insulation, and broken wood. Yet, hauntingly, a few things survived — like Gail’s robe, untouched amid the chaos.
“That’s where they were,” Bowman said, pointing to the bedroom. “And the neighbor pulled them out into the hallway after hearing their cries.”
A Dog’s Loyalty
Their dog, Sadie, also disappeared during the storm. Hours later, she was found lying in the remains of their bedroom, waiting patiently for someone to come home.
A Loss That Hits Close to Home
For Baker and Bowman, the devastation is deeply personal. “We grew up in that house,” they said. “Ma maw babysat us there. We played in the yard. Every house on this street holds a piece of our childhood.”
Now, as they grieve what was lost, they’re determined to help the Clines recover. Both vehicles were destroyed, and the medical costs and housing needs ahead are daunting. A GoFundMe has been created to help cover those expenses.
Still, their faith in Paul and Gail’s resilience remains unshaken.
“They held each other through the storm — they’ll hold each other through this too.”
A State in Mourning
The tornado outbreak across southeastern Kentucky has claimed at least 19 lives. Among the hardest-hit areas were Pulaski and Laurel counties.
“We’ve lost 19 Kentuckians, each one a beloved child of God,” Governor Andy Beshear said in a solemn message. “Please continue to pray for their families, for the 10 still in critical care at UK Hospital, and for everyone affected by these storms.”
