MILTON, Kentucky — The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado ripped through downtown Milton, Kentucky just after 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Roofs were blown off most businesses and many homes in the small Ohio River town.
"Oh crap, it was a nightmare," said Ralph Gaines, who has lived in Milton for two years.
Severe damage was everywhere, leaving the entire county without power.
Residents like Gaines immediately took shelter, comparing the loud noise to a freight train.
"It came over that hill like a ball of thunder, I ran back inside and told my brother hold on he goes 'for what'," he said. "And all the sudden the roof went whoosh."
Downed powerlines and debris were scattered through yards, including broken glass from car windshields.
"The girls were out here looking at their cars and I thought 'man, insurance is going to have a field day,'" Gaines said.
He and other residents are now left with no where to stay but are welcomed to stay at the General Butler State Park.
Emergency Management said there were only two minor injuries and between 50-100 homes were damaged.
"Probably 20 to 30 that have severe to destroyed," Andrew Stark, the director at Trimble County Emergency Management, said.
Justin McCoy is the owner of Jazz and Jac's Pizza Shack where the roof was completely damaged.
"Well I was kind of surprised I didn't think it was going to be much, I'm not really for much drama so I figured it was going to be nothing but it looks like it turned out to be more," he said.
He's overwhelmed by the outpouring of support as community members came together to clean up.
"We've already had tons of people try to reach out and try to help, my phone has been blowing up, everyone's trying to jump in and help out," said McCoy. "This is a great community."
Volunteers from the American Red Cross and first responders from Carrol and Oldham Counties have been assisting non-stop.
"I don't want to re-live this, this is bad, now I know what those people in Mayfield, Kentucky went through," Gaines said.