A TORNADO gutted churches, tore down a water tower, flattened the courthouse, crushed the fire and police stations, reduced houses to rubble and killed up to 100 people last Friday in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Wind speeds reached higher than 330km/h as the tornado hit Mayfield late at night.
Viral internet footage captured a pitch-black night sky and the racket of an invisible tornado, illuminated only in green and purple power flashes as it swallowed electrical grids.
The city of about 10,000 people was stuck in the gargantuan 240km path.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said up to 100 people had been killed in a series of tornadoes through Kentucky and other US states.
He said it was the most destructive in the state’s history.
The town was home to a candle factory, which was operating when the tornado hit and was completely destroyed.
Mr Beshear said of the 110 people working at the factory, only 40 had been rescued.
Many of the candle factory workers were parishioners, Owensboro Bishop William Medley said.
Owensboro diocese, which Mayfield falls under, had started up a special collection plate for the city.
Bishop Medley urged a union of prayers from the Catholic community for all suffering through the disaster.
Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the tornado at his Angelus address on Sunday.
US bishops conference president Archbishop Jose Gomez and Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development chairman Archbishop Paul Coakley called for prayers and assistance.
“It is heartbreaking to see the destruction and devastation brought by the tornadoes that tore through the South and Midwest overnight,” the bishops said.
“During this Advent season where we await in joyful anticipation for the birth of our Lord, we pray for those who have been injured, for those who have lost their lives, and for their grieving families and communities.
“May those who have been impacted by these storms find peace, comfort, and hope in our faith and in God’s endless love.
“We also pray for the emergency responders and those who have begun the work of providing for the needs of the impacted in these communities in the recovery efforts.”
US President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency disaster declaration for the state of Kentucky on Saturday.
Emergency personnel and aid workers continue to comb through the rubble for survivors.
