‘By the Grace of God, we survived it’

A former Manchester resident is counting his blessings after surviving the powerful tornado that tore through London early Saturday morning, leaving destruction and tragedy in its path.

Getson Roberts, who lived in an apartment complex off U.S. Highway 25 near the London-Corbin Airport, said he barely had time to react when the tornado struck.

“Something caught my eye and I said, ‘We’re not gonna make it to the basement, everybody get in between a door frame and get down,’” Roberts recalled. “As soon as we had the kids down, it happened that quick.”

Roberts and his family survived the storm, but others were not as fortunate. Family members and neighbors told WYMT that two residents from the apartment complex died in the tornado.

The storm left behind a trail of devastation across London and surrounding areas. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, and parts of the London-Corbin Airport were heavily damaged.

“Houses are just gone,” said Joshua Hammons, who was working at the airport overnight when the tornado hit. He said a friend saw him on surveillance footage and warned him to get to safety moments before the storm arrived.

“Half of the airport, just gone,” Hammons said. “There ain’t no words for it. It’s like a warzone.”

Hammons spent Saturday helping with rescue and recovery efforts, using chainsaws to cut through downed trees and debris in hopes of finding survivors.

In the aftermath, volunteers poured into the community to distribute food, water, and offer assistance with cleanup efforts. Streets were lined with shattered structures, splintered trees and the remnants of daily life swept away in seconds.

Despite the destruction, Roberts expressed deep gratitude for surviving the storm.

“By the grace of God, we survived it,” he said. “I may have lost everything, but I didn’t lose my life.”

The tornado is part of a broader storm system that has claimed multiple lives across southeastern Kentucky. Search and recovery operations continue as officials assess the full scope of the damage.