‘The Lord was with us’: Family of 7 survives after tornado destroys home with them inside

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) - Kentucky residents are recounting the terrifying moments a tornado ripped through the area over the weekend and changed their lives forever.

Wyan Avenue in Laurel County remains covered in debris, with homes blown apart and leveled. One resident said his family survived the storm even after their home was thrown across the road by the powerful winds.

“The Lord was with us, and you know, we learned to tell about it,” tornado survivor David Farler said.

In a matter of minutes, Farler said his family experienced the unimaginable.

“We ended up being in a pile of rubble,” he said.

Farler, his wife, daughter and four grandkids were taking shelter in their home when the storm hit.

“I felt the house just take off. It was like a bad dream,” he said. “I was like, This is it. We’re done for.”

Farler said the home was picked up from its foundation.

Once the tornado was done wreaking havoc, Farler said reality and pain sank in. A section of a granite countertop had him pinned, along with a sink that was on top of his wife.

He said his daughter was also trapped under a water heater, but shortly after, he watched a miracle unfold right before his eyes.

“I looked and saw my granddaughter come out, then another came out, and another,” he said. “I thought I‘d won the lottery. You know, what else could you ask for?”

Once he and his wife were freed, they spent the night in the hospital recovering from their injuries.

“You’re just glad you’re alive,” he said.

According to Farler, they had just moved to Laurel County. He said they were looking to get away from flooding in the Hazard area.

“Every time it rained, I couldn’t sleep. Now, when the wind blows, I can’t sleep,” he said.

Farler said he built the family’s home along with his daughter’s, which suffered minor damage. So, luckily, they still have a place to stay.

Farler said his neighbors also had to be dug out. Two of which did not survive.

“It’s one of those things you think just happens to other people,” he said. “I don’t think I want to stay in Kentucky.”

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