On May 16, a powerful EF-4 tornado with winds topping 170 mph carved a 55.6-mile path through Russell, Pulaski, and Laurel counties in Kentucky—leaving devastation in its wake and lives forever changed. By the morning of May 18, the death toll had climbed to at least 27.
Among the miraculous survivors were Paul and Gail Cline, a married couple in their 60s, who each lost an arm while holding onto each other as the storm tore through their home.
Their story captured the nation’s attention — not just because of the brutal injuries they suffered, but because of the strength of their bond. Both Paul and Gail were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries after their home collapsed around them. The arms they had wrapped around one another were gone. But somehow, their spirits remained unbroken.
Now, an emotional update has many across America holding back tears.
The couple — married for 30 years — has now finally reunited in the hospital. And despite the trauma, they smiled through the pain.
First words
After several intense days on a ventilator, Gail was safely removed from the machine on Thursday last week. It marked a major milestone in her recovery — and the moment she and Paul finally saw each other again, face to face.
”She broke ten ribs and one of them punctured her lung. She had a liver laceration, a broken collar bone as well…scratches everywhere,” their niece, Taylor Baker, told Lex18. ”I feel like these nurses are our family at this point.”
”Her first words off of the vent were, ‘I love you,’” shared Brandy Bowman, another of their nieces.
