Massive Tornadoes Rip Through Kentucky Overnight Killing At Least 50, State of Emergency Declared

Late Friday night, several tornadoes ripped through the Midwest, hitting the state of Kentucky the hardest, causing severe structural damage and taking the lives of at least 50 people in the Bluegrass State. On Saturday morning, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear announced he had declared a state of emergency and said the total death is expected to be between “70-100 people.”

“We are nearing the end of the most severe tornado event in Kentucky’s history,” Beshear said Saturday morning at a 4:00 am press conference. “Multiple tornadoes have touched down and we have damage in — I believe  — over a dozen Kentucky counties. The primary tornado was on the ground continuously for over 200 miles in our state, something we have never seen before.”

“We have deaths in multiple — possibly many counties,” the governor continued. “The hardest-hit county appears to be Graves, where the city of Mayfield has been devastated. A roof collapse at a candle factory has resulted in mass casualties.”

The governor also said that he had been in communication with local and state emergency response teams and has also activated the national guard, adding that he requested an immediate federal emergency declaration — a move that would allow Kentucky access to federal emergency funds.

“This has been one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history and some areas have been hit in ways that are hard to put into words. To all of our Kentucky families that are impacted by this, we want you to know that we are here for you, we love you, and we are praying for you,” Beshear added.