FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: KENTUCKY GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY, WORST TORNADO EVENT IN U.S. :
Kentucky governor declares state of emergency after deadly tornado, asks Biden for assistance...Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Saturday and asked President Joe Biden for federal assistance.
An outbreak of at least 30 tornadoes left a path of destruction across six states.
The president was briefed on the storms and said in a statement that he was “in touch with state and local officials as the search for survivors and damage assessments continue.”LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency early Saturday morning and asked President Joe Biden for federal assistance after a deadly storm swept through the Bluegrass State overnight.
“It’s devastating,” Beshear said during a news conference, adding that he had activated the National Guard in Kentucky. More than 180 guardsmen have deployed to areas in Western Kentucky, the hardest-hit section of the state.
Beshear said early estimates have placed the death toll in Kentucky at 50 but said that it could likely rise “significantly north of that.” He advised residents who are safe to avoid areas and roads where crews are assisting with emergency operations.
An outbreak of at least 30 tornadoes left a wide swath of destruction. One twister ripped through four states carving out at least a 220-mile path, ranking it among the longest tornadoes in U.S. history if it remained on the ground.
Beshear said the tornado that slammed through Western Kentucky struck the city Mayfield before moving northeast through Benton, Princeton, Beaver Dam and tapering off in towns in Breckinridge County. The governor said that more than 100 people were working at a candle manufacturing plant in Mayfield during the storm. The facility was leveled and is believed to be the site of “mass casualties.”.
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