A 2-month-old girl who died Monday is one of the youngest victims of the devastating Kentucky tornadoes — which obliterated her family’s home two days ago.
Oaklynn Koon succumbed to her injuries Monday morning, her heartbroken parents, Douglas and Jackie, revealed in a Facebook post.
“At least I know who will be watching over you up there for me. My dad,” Douglas wrote in a post showing his daughter’s tiny hand in his. “God this doesn’t seem real.”
Her family confirmed her death just shortly before Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear released official death toll numbers for the state.
At least 74 people are dead and more than 100 still missing in Kentucky after tornadoes ravaged the area, a shaken Beshear said Monday.
Oaklynn Koon, 2-months, died of her injuries from the tornado that destroyed their house in Beulah, Kentucky. Facebook/Douglas KoonIt wasn’t immediately clear if the official toll included Oaklynn’s death.
Oaklynn had spent two days in the hospital after the tornado tore through her hometown of Dawson Springs late Friday.
Her family said the baby girl suffered multiple seizures in the hospital and doctors believe she may have had a stroke.
“It’s not looking good guys at all. The machines are keeping her alive. Her head swelled really bad. She doesn’t have activity,” her parents said just hours before confirming her death.
“I’m in shock, my heart feels absolutely shattered. We love you Oakie.”
Oaklynn, who had been strapped into her car seat, was huddled in a bathroom with her parents and brothers when the twister struck.
The family was sent “flying” from the force of the tornado and ended up at a neighbor’s home, her parents said.
Oaklynn was hospitalized alongside her older brother Dallas, who was treated and then discharged on Sunday.
The family’s home was completely obliterated by the tornado, according to photos posted on social media. Children’s toys could be been scattered among the debris.
Chris Smiley, the mayor of Dawson Springs, estimated on Sunday that 75 percent of their small town was wiped out by the tornado.
At least 74 are now dead after tornadoes ripped through the region. Facebook/Douglas Koon
Oaklynn Koon is one of the youngest victims of the tornadoes that swept through Kentucky. Facebook
A new report said 64 people in Kentucky have been killed by the storms and 105 people are still missing. Facebook/Douglas N Jackie Koon“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” Smiley told CNN. “It’s just devastating.”
At least 14 are dead and more than 100 people are still missing in Dawson Springs alone, according to officials.
Kentucky was the worst-hit by far in the cluster of twisters that struck across several Midwest states Friday night.
Dallas Koon was also injured in the storm. Facebook/Douglas Koon
Dawson Springs Mayor Chris Smiley estimates that 75 percent of the town was wiped out by the storms. Facebook/Douglas N Jackie KoonAuthorities are still trying to determine the total number of dead, and the storms made door-to-door searches impossible in some places.
“There are no doors,” Beshear said previously. “We’re going to have over 1,000 homes that are gone, just gone.”
