Paul and Gail Cline never let go of each other — not even when a violent tornado tore through their Kentucky home and ripped their arms away.
Now, the couple in their 60s lies side by side in a hospital, fighting for their lives. Their story is one of unimaginable horror — and unshakable love.
Last Friday, a powerful tornado ripped through Laurel County, Kentucky, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Homes were flattened, lives were upended, and entire communities were left reeling. Yet in the face of such devastation, a wave of resilience has emerged — with first responders, volunteers, and even high school students stepping up to help rebuild.
For Paul and Gail, the storm brought more than destruction — it brought a fight for survival.
“I see an arm down the hallway.”
As the tornado roared outside, the Clines held each other tightly in their bedroom. But the twister’s fury was unstoppable. According to their nieces, Taylor Baker and Brandy Bowman, the wind’s force was so brutal, it tore away their opposite arms — even as they clung to one another.
“She said ‘I need help. I see an arm down the hallway,’” Bowman recalled in an interview with Lex18. “Which was actually Gail’s arm that was shredded during the tornado. The doctors said where they lost opposite arms is because they were holding each other.”
A neighbor heard the screams and rushed in to pull the couple out from the wreckage.
Gail on life support, Paul in shock
While Paul has shown some signs of improvement, Gail’s condition is critical. According to WRTV, Gail was placed in a medically induced coma and remains on life support. In addition to her missing arm, flying debris shattered her ribs, puncturing both lungs.
Baker says her uncle, who suffers from dementia, still doesn’t fully grasp what happened.
“All I can’t get out of my head is just how terrified they both were,” she said. “I cannot imagine the fear that was going through their minds, but there’s one thing about them — they are godly people.”
Generations of memories — now gone
The house that once stood strong had been in their family for generations.
Now, it’s a skeleton of shattered glass, torn insulation, and splintered wood. Yet somehow, among the ruins, some things remain eerily untouched — like a robe in their bedroom.
“They were in this bedroom and you can see where stuff came through. This is where they were, and the neighbor came; he heard them screaming for help. So he came to help them. He pulled them out into the hallway there,” said Bowman.
A Loyal Dog Waits for Her Family
Amid the chaos of the storm, their 12-year-old dog, Sadie, was also caught in the devastation. After going missing in the turmoil, Sadie was found hours later — incredibly — lying quietly in what remained of the couple’s bedroom, waiting faithfully for her family to return.
“We played in all these houses.”
For Baker and Bowman, the loss is not just a tragedy — it’s deeply personal. “We grew up being babysat by our ma maw in this house. We played in all of these houses, we had dinner in all of these houses. It’s hard,” they shared, voices filled with emotion.
While they mourn the loss of the family home that held generations of memories, the women are focused on what lies ahead — and on helping the Clines rebuild. Both of the couple’s cars were destroyed in the storm, and the road to recovery will be long, costly, and uncertain.
To aid in this journey, they’ve launched a GoFundMe to help cover hospital bills and housing needs once Paul and Gail are able to leave the hospital.
But there is one thing the family knows for certain: “They’re strong enough to support each other through this tragedy — just like they did when the storm hit.”
19 Dead
As the destruction continued to unfold, the toll on the community became clear. At least 19 people were lost to the devastating tornadoes that ravaged Pulaski and Laurel counties in southeastern Kentucky on Friday.
“We have lost 19 people to this weather event, each one a child of God who will be missed by their families,” Governor Andy Beshear said in a heartfelt message. “Please continue praying for them, for the 10 individuals being treated at UK Hospital, and for everyone affected by these storms.”
