BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Thousands of families across western Kentucky are still dealing with the aftermath of last Saturday's deadly tornado.
One Bowling Green man was in the works of rebuilding his home after a fire nearly 18 months ago, but now the EF-3 tornado forced him to start back at square one.
What You Need To Know
- Robert Manley has lived in his Bowling Green home for more than 10 years
- His home was leveled in last weekend's tornado outbreak
- Manley returned back home to feed his cat
- Those living in the home have made other arrangements until it gets rebuilt
Since the storm, Robert Manley’s daily routine includes returning back to where his home once stood and feeding his cat, Malcolm.
“Feed him everyday, two times, at least two,” Manley said.
Manley has lived in the home for 10 years and of course, Malcolm has too.
“Malcolm was born here, in an old garage here and I let him roam. He knows where his home is and he'll come back,” Manley said.
Manley and the seven others who live in the household were in the process of rebuilding before last Saturday's storm hit.
“A house fire caused by an electrical short and it was being rebuilt and the frame was up, the roof was on and covered and was waiting on the dry wall and the garage door,” Manley said. “Then the tornado took it all, took it all.”
No one was home at the time of the tornado but when Manley returned, it reminded him of a scene from war.
“But with all the damage and smoke and some of the fire, it made me flashback to Vietnam. It's just unreal,” Manley said.
For Manley, this isn't a goodbye, it's a "see you later." He's hoping to make even more memories at the place he once called home.
“It’s very special to me, it became like a home to me. I had about two cats, I like the whole community, there's a sense of belonging and you just can't get no better than that,” Manley said.
In the meantime, Manley is still returning home to care for Malcolm and is staying in an apartment in town until arrangements have been made for the home to be rebuilt.