The death toll from a series of tornadoes that raged in five states increased on Sunday. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than 30 tornadoes were reported from late Friday to early Saturday. Kentucky was hit hardest with 50 deaths confirmed early Sunday, but countless people went missing after a tornado destroyed a candle factory that contained more than 100 people. At least six people were killed in Illinois when the tornado broke through an Amazon warehouse north of St. Louis. Four people have been confirmed dead in Tennessee, and two each in Arkansas and Missouri. 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said on Sunday that more than 100 people could have died in his state alone, including at least two relatives. He said the entire city was destroyed by the twister. Rescue workers made door-to-door canvassing in search of survivors, but in some cases there were no doors. On Sunday, chainsaws and bulldozers were crowded in the devastated area. The drugstore in the city center had electricity from a generator. A  temporary toilet was set up and a food truck served chicken. The destroyed church worshiped in the chapel on Sunday. With more support from individuals, groups, and government agencies, relatives with unknown families appeared to the Kentucky Police Department for identity verification, suggesting a possible increase in deaths. 

The National Meteorological Service began issuing ominous warnings hours before the storm hit the area. More than 30 minutes before the major tornado destroyed most of the city, a warning was issued to Graves County, where Mayfield is located.