After the powerful tornadoes hit several towns in Kentucky and left no survivor behind, the death toll seems to see an unexpected rise and cross 100 – says the governor.
“This is the deadliest tornado event we have ever had,” with 80 confirmed casualties, “I think it’s going to be the longest and deadliest tornado event in U.S. history,” Governor Andy Beshear said on CNN on Sunday.
“Nothing that was standing in the direct line of [one] tornado is still standing,” said the governor.
“I know people can see the visuals, but that goes on for 12 blocks or more in some of these places. And it’s going to take us time.”
“[Do] you think you can go door to door to check on people and see if they’re okay? There are no doors! The question is, is there somebody in the rubble of thousands upon thousands of structures. I mean, it is devastating,” he added.
With fourteen deaths in four other US states, President Joe Biden has declared an emergency state in the state of Kentucky and asked for federal aid for the hardest-hit regions.
“an immediate federal emergency declaration” for “one of the toughest nights in Kentucky’s history.”
“This morning, I was briefed on the devastating tornadoes across the central U.S. To lose a loved one in a storm like this is an unimaginable tragedy. We’re working with Governors to ensure they have what they need as the search for survivors and damage assessments continue” he tweeted.
During a tour to Mayfield, one of the heavily affected areas, the governor said, “We’re still hoping as we move forward for some miracles to find more people.”
Though, barely anyone was found alive since the Saturday last week.
As per the governor’s knowledge, one of the deadly tornadoes had stayed for “227 miles,200 of which were in Kentucky.” It had destroyed homes all along its 365 km path. Although the exact number is yet to find, it has torn down more than thousands of homes in the nearby areas.
Previously, the US had witnessed a major 219 miles storm in 1925 in Missouri that killed 695 people.
In Mayfield, the city hall and fire station were leveled to the ground. “I don’t think there’s a pane of glass in any vehicle or property that the city owns that isn’t shattered,” said Kathy Stewart.
Eight people died inside a candle factory hit by the tornado, revealed the company’s spokesperson to Reuters. Eight people were still under the search. A factory employee named Kyanna Parsons Perez, who made a request for help on social media from under the debris, told the news outlets that other companies had closed down due to the dangerous weather conditions and the staff didn’t show up at work.
