‘It’s heartbreaking’: Regina woman reflects on Kentucky tornadoes

The destruction in the midwest United States is nothing short of a disaster after tornadoes ripped through the region, destroying parts of Kentucky in their wake.

The destruction in the state hits close to home for Mallory Outerbridge, who lived in Bowling Green, Ky., for five years while she played soccer for the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers.

Mallory Outerbridge lived in Bowling Green, Ky., for five years. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)

Outerbridge called the disaster “heartbreaking,” saying much of the community she once knew has been reduced to rubble.

“I’m fortunate enough to not have had anybody I’m close with that was injured or lost their life, so I’m fortunate in that aspect,” she said Monday.

“I have a lot of friends that lost houses. I know the house that I lived in is completely gone. All there is left is a pipe sticking out with water coming out of it.”

Dozens of people in several counties in the state are believed to have died in the twisters.

The state’s governor, Andy Beshear, called the tornadoes the worst in Kentucky’s history. He was able to confirm that at least 64 people were dead as a result of the storm as of Monday.

He added more than 100 people in the state were still unaccounted for and the death toll would surely rise in the days ahead.

View today's tornado response press briefing with Gov. Beshear, @SecMayorkas and @FEMA_Deanne. https://t.co/6oF0rw3yU5

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 13, 2021

Outerbridge says it’s hard to fathom how much the damage varied from house to house in pictures and videos she has seen posted by friends.

“Some of the pictures showed (on) one side of the street, every house is perfectly fine (with) maybe a couple of shingles missing. And on the other houses on the other side of the street, it’s complete devastation,” she said.

“I think there are no words to really describe that.”

A devastating, yet incredible, view from a drone in Bowling Green, Kentucky showing the path of destruction from a tornado. Video comes from @WHAS11 our @TEGNA affiliate in Louisville @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/eh7vDqB8P4

— Tom Hunsicker (@TomSportsWUSA9) December 11, 2021

Outerbridge says she loved her time in the state, and she has visited three times since moving back to Regina in 2012.

She says being there always reminded her a lot of home.

A family whose home was destroyed by a tornado receives water from Angelia and Cameron Miller in Bowling Green, Ky., on Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)

“I fell in love with Bowling Green; it reminded me very much of Regina,” she said. “It’s the biggest small town you’ll ever live in.

“Kentucky is a strong community. I think everybody will rally together and they’re going to get through this. It’s going to be tough, but they’re going to get through it.”