LONDON, Ky. (WDKY) -- To the ordinary person, 104 Meadowlane Road in London, Kentucky, may seem like a simple house with four walls and a roof, but to the people who grew up inside, it was a home filled with laughter, love, and family.
"We were all babysat by Mamaw here," said Taylor Baker. "We had Sunday dinners here. We had Christmas and Thanksgiving here. Like, this is just where everybody was.
"This is home for all of the family," added Brandy Bowman.
Earlier this month, the home was torn apart by a deadly tornado that barreled through. The homeowners, Gail and Paul Cline, were inside at the time.
Their nieces, Baker and Bowman, said they were found by a neighbor in the hallway hugging each other tightly, and both of them had lost an arm. They said Gail was bleeding out.
"That severed her artery. So, if he had not placed a tourniquet, she would not have made it at all," Baker added.
Gail was in critical condition and on life support until Thursday, but is now stable and recovering, along with Paul. The girls said they are grateful to the people who showed up and saved their lives.
"They were so selfless in those moments to help someone that they didn't have to," said Baker. "And they were, you know, their family was trapped too. But they came running to do whatever they could to help them."
Gail and Paul's daughter was also diagnosed with stage four cancer recently. This is another reason why Baker and Bowman started a GoFundMe for their family.
"I know it won't make everything better, but if it can just lighten the load a little bit for them, I would do whatever," said Baker.
The girls said their aunt and uncle's love has weathered unimaginable storms, but it still stands unshakable, even in the hospital.
"He kissed her on the forehead, and she tried to open her eyes, and he said their wedding vows to her," said Bowman. "It was precious."
Baker noted that their family home, as they knew it, may be gone, but the memories that lived inside have left a lasting imprint that will live on forever.
"I know that if she makes it through this, that they'll find the joy in life still because that's just how they are," said Baker.
At least 19 people were killed by tornadoes in southeastern Kentucky earlier this month. That includes Maj. Leslie Leatherman of the Laurel County Fire Department, who died while protecting his critically injured wife. Leatherman was initially responding to a structure that had reportedly collapsed.
"It is unknown if Major Leatherman was aware of her identity at the time due to the extreme darkness, noise, and traumatic events," Laurel County officials said.