'We nearly lost our hometown' | Four years after EF-4 tornado hit Mayfield, the town's recovery continues

MAYFIELD, Ky. — December 10 marks four years since a tornado outbreak ripped through western Kentucky communities.

"This is a time that it sneaks up on us. We know it's coming, and here it is," said Mayfield Mayor Kathy O'Nan to a crowd this week.

The damage was widespread, but the most concentrated destruction was in Bowling Green, Bremen, Dawson Springs and Mayfield.

In Mayfield's historic downtown, the county courthouse was destroyed. Historic churches and city hall were damaged, along with countless businesses.

Across Graves County, the National Weather Service reports 1,159 single-family residences were damaged and 730 destroyed.

"We nearly lost our hometown," said O'Nan.

Credit: Courtesy of Eddie Knight Lightning illuminates the monster tornado shrouded in darkness that e