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Deadly Tornado Hits Kentucky, PCM Team Responds

April 12, 2022

CWP

CWP Blog

You may have heard about the deadly tornado that hit Mayfield, Kentucky and the surrounding area on December 10 and 11, 2021 where many Professional Case Management (PCM) clients, employees, and Cold War Patriots (CWP) members live. The tornado left a wake of devastation in its path, with most of the town unrecognizable amidst the debris from collapsed buildings and homes. Producing wind gusts greater than 75 miles per hour, the twister that devastated Mayfield and other Kentucky communities was on the ground for 166 miles, touching down in Mayfield on Friday, December 10 at 9:30 p.m. and leveling most of the town. In response to the crisis, PCM and CWP jumped into immediate action to ensure the safety of every individual associated with PCM in the area.

Earlier in the day, the PCM team in Paducah, Kentucky had called on and prepared staff and clients ensuring they were aware of the potential danger, had a plan, and they had enough supplies. After the tornado hit, our Senior Leadership Team began checking on PCM staff immediately, while our Clinical Leadership checked in on our PCM clients. PCM and CWP’s corporate offices, located in Denver, CO, launched a rapid response call campaign and called every single Cold War Patriots member and every medical provider such as physicians, rehabs, hospices etc. to check in on everyone’s safety and well-being.

Meanwhile on the ground in Mayfield, PCM nurses and Outreach staff drove out to the homes of PCM clients and Cold War Patriots members who could not be reached by phone. Paducah resident and, PCM’s Regional Homecare Outreach Specialist, Nikki Clark, contacted local Mayfield clients, and personally put together care packages that included food, new clothes, manual can openers, detergent, and other hygiene supplies.

Taylor King, PCM’s Community Homecare Outreach Representative, and Ms. Clark, also put together care packages for the community members who were working from 4 a.m. – 10 p.m. each day to secure the destroyed Mayfield Post Office. Doing what she needed to do for her community, Ms. Clark was able to secure oxygen tanks, generators, gas propane, and kerosene to those who lost their homes and were placed at campgrounds, as well as provide care packages to local churches, and helped destroyed pharmacies and boutiques with their destroyed inventory.

During the event and in the days following, PCM provided resources, coordinated services, and arranged for food, water, shelter, and gas for generators, as well as donated to the disaster relief fund. PCM’s President, Greg Austin shared, “Thankfully, the teams confirmed that none of our clients or employees had been injured, which was truly a relief. Only one client suffered a significant loss of property, and we secured a hotel room for her until alternate arrangements were made.”

Judy Terry, PCM’s Regional Director in Kentucky shared, “We are aware that it could have been worse. I have never worked for a company more caring and responsive in times of need. From the President down, there is a genuine concern and commitment to clients and staff. I am proud to be a part of this remarkable company and team.”

Three days after the tornadoes hit, PCM’s president, Greg Austin reported, “all PCM clients, employees, and CWP members have shelter, heat, food, and water, and all PCM clients have all necessary medications and medical supplies. This was a truly devastating event, and our hearts go out to the communities who have been impacted.”

Ms. Clark shared, “It will take seven years for Mayfield to recover and rebuild, the community, and other surrounding communities. PCM pulled together to help those in need.”

An abundance of resources has been provided to Mayfield residents and surrounding communities, and PCM remains in close contact with our Kentucky team to continue assessing any personal or community needs as they may arise. When calling to check in on Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and Allied Chemical workers, one worker thanked our staff for calling them to check in and asked how he could help others instead. This heartwarming response truly speaks to the caring nature of our nuclear weapons community and gives us hope to know that Mayfield will recover.

For more information and opportunities to help the community of Mayfield, please visit the links below: