Gov. Beshear dedicates 7 new homes for tornado survivors in Dawson Springs

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (WEHT) — For the first time since a tornado destroyed nearly 70% of Dawson Springs on December 10, 2021, 7 tornado survivors have a permanent place to call home.

“We are here nearly 3 years later to celebrate new beginnings,” says Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Beshear joined Habitat for Humanity leaders to dedicate the homes, each one tailored to the families’ needs.

“Oh gosh, it is just a miracle. It’s a gift from God and a blessing. We are so grateful,” says Betty and Andre Hernandez.

The couple gets the keys on Monday and says the home is a much-needed gift. After losing everything in the tornado, they hopped around and did not have a place to call their own until now. The couple says it came as a surprise.

“My niece filled out the paperwork and turned it in and I thought that was the last time we were going to hear from this, from Habitat. And hey it was not even a week until I got a call, and I just could not believe it,” says Betty Hernandez.

The couple’s new home has a ramp to help them get inside, a new kitchen, walk-in closets, and a walk-in shower. Ashlee Townsend-Mawdsley will also receive her keys next week and says she lost two aunts in the tornado.

“They were my dad’s sisters. And where we are living now is really close to where they lived and that is very comforting to me. I know where they are at. And I know that I will get to see them again someday,” says Townsend-Mawdsley.

Governor Beshear congratulated the families one by one and said this is just one part of the recovery.

“The trauma that night was different and just having a new house to make memories in. And you saw some of the families, one of the couples is bringing a child into the world,” Governor Beshear says.

Each family was handed a Bible. Townsend-Mawdsley says she’s happy to finally have a place of her own.

“It’s great that I have those roots and I know that I am never going to have to move,” says Townsend-Mawdsley.

Governor Beshear also announced about $6 million in funding for Hopkins County. The money will help expand high-speed internet, improve roads, and support the tourism industry.

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