Tornado Survivor: ‘Not Knowing Is Worse Than Knowing’

Tornado Survivor: ‘Not Knowing Is Worse Than Knowing’
Autumn Kirks comforts her children in Mayfield, Ky., on Dec. 12, 2021. Bruce Schreiner/AP Photo
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MAYFIELD, Ky.—Autumn Kirks said she and her boyfriend, Lannis Ward, had been dating for about a year and were saving money to buy a house. They were both working the night shift at the candle factory for extra money when the tornado struck.

Then Ward, described by Kirks as “a big teddy bear,” disappeared—and all she could do was wait.