Paul and Gail Cline Held Onto Each Other—Even as a Tornado Tore Their Arms Away
Even as a violent tornado ripped through their Kentucky home, Paul and Gail Cline never let go of each other. The couple, both in their 60s, clung to one another in their bedroom as the winds roared—and even when the storm tore their arms away, their grip never loosened.
Now, they lie side by side in hospital beds, fighting for their lives, their bond as unbreakable as ever.
Last Friday, a devastating tornado swept through Laurel County, Kentucky, leaving a trail of destruction that shattered homes and hearts across the state. Communities are reeling, but in the midst of the devastation, hope rises: first responders, volunteers, and local high school students have united to begin the long road to recovery.
For Paul and Gail, the storm was more than a natural disaster—it was a life-altering battle for survival.
“I see an arm down the hallway”
When the tornado struck, Paul and Gail held tightly to one another, refusing to let go. Their nieces, Taylor Baker and Brandy Bowman, recounted the horrifying aftermath: the force of the twister was so intense, it tore off each of their opposite arms—while they were still embracing.
Their story is both tragic and deeply moving—a powerful reminder of human resilience, and the love that endures even the most unimaginable storms.
“I see an arm down the hallway.”
Gail’s voice trembled in desperation as she called out for help, her words barely audible over the chaos. “I need help. I see an arm down the hallway,” she told her niece, Brandy Bowman, in the aftermath. That arm, shredded and lifeless, turned out to be Gail’s own—torn away by the storm that nearly killed her.
Doctors believe the reason Paul and Gail lost opposite arms is heartbreakingly simple: they were holding each other as the tornado struck.
A neighbor, hearing their screams over the howling wind, rushed into the wreckage and pulled them to safety.
Clinging to Life: Gail on Life Support, Paul in Shock
Gail remains in critical condition. According to WRTV, she is on life support in a medically induced coma. Shattered ribs and punctured lungs, caused by flying debris, have left her fighting for every breath.
Paul, still in shock and battling dementia, struggles to understand what happened. “All I can’t get out of my head is just how terrified they both were,” said Taylor Baker, their niece. “I cannot imagine the fear that was going through their minds. But if there’s one thing about them—it’s that they are godly people.”
A Lifetime Reduced to Rubble
Their home, once a haven of family gatherings and quiet evenings, now lies in ruins. Passed down through generations, the house was more than just four walls—it was a legacy. Now it stands as a hollow frame of splintered wood and shattered glass.
Still, within the wreckage, haunting reminders of life before the storm remain—like a robe hanging undisturbed in their bedroom. “They were in this bedroom,” Bowman explained, pointing to the devastation. “You can see where things ripped through. This is where the neighbor found them. He heard them screaming and pulled them into the hallway.”
Devastation, Faith, and the Fight Ahead
The Clines’ story is one of unimaginable horror—and unwavering love. Torn apart by nature’s fury, they never let go of each other. Now, with the support of family, neighbors, and an entire community, they’re fighting their way back from the brink.
A Loyal Heart Amid the Ruins
Through the chaos and devastation, one figure remained—waiting. Sadie, Paul and Gail Cline’s 12-year-old dog, vanished during the storm’s fury. Hours later, she was found lying in the ruins of what was once their bedroom, patiently waiting for the family she refused to leave behind.
Her loyalty, like Paul and Gail’s bond, never wavered.
“We Grew Up in These Walls”
For nieces Taylor Baker and Brandy Bowman, the wreckage isn’t just wood and debris—it’s the destruction of a lifetime of memories.
“We were babysat by our ma maw here. We played in every room. We had dinner in every house on this land,” they shared, voices heavy with grief. “It’s hard to see it like this.”
But despite the heartbreak, they are looking forward—channeling their sorrow into action.
Both of the Clines’ cars were destroyed, and the road to recovery—physically, emotionally, and financially—will be long. The family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses and provide housing once Paul and Gail are strong enough to leave the hospital.
A Family Built on Faith and Strength
What the tornado couldn’t destroy was the resilience of the people it struck. “They’re strong enough to support each other through this tragedy,” Baker said. “Just like they did when the storm hit.”
Even torn apart, Paul and Gail held on. That strength will carry them through what comes next.
A State in Mourning
The Clines are just one story in a community forever changed. At least 19 lives were lost as powerful tornadoes swept through Pulaski and Laurel counties last Friday.
“We have lost 19 people to this weather event—each one a child of God who will be missed by their families,” said Governor Andy Beshear in a solemn statement. “Please keep praying for them, for the 10 people being treated at UK Hospital, and for everyone affected by these storms.”
