KENTUCKY, USA — Gov. Beshear said the death toll could be between 70 and 100 people after tornadoes touch down in the state, particularly in western Kentucky.
The governor made the announcement in an early Saturday morning briefing. He said a tornado was on the ground for about 200 miles in Kentucky and that it went through four states. He said that the storm event was the largest tornado track on record and the largest in Kentucky history.
He also said a collapse at a candle factory in Mayfield has resulted in "mass casualties." As of 4:45 a.m., more than 56,000 Kentucky customers are without power.
Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and the National Guard has been activated. 181 guardsmen are being deployed and will be arriving in communities on Saturday morning. The governor also requested an immediate federal emergency declaration.
He also signed an executive order prohibiting price gouging in the aftermath of the storms, in order to protect people as they search for supplies and recover.
"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," said Gov. Beshear.
Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett said that this weekend's storms could surpass the 1974 tornado outbreak as one of the deadliest in Kentucky's history.
"Our hearts go out to the families that are in peril and all of the Kentuckians who have lost their lives," said Dossett.
Gov. Beshear said they will go to the western part of the state later Saturday "as soon as it is safe to do so."
The Graves County Emergency Management Office told WPSD that Mayfield High School is opening up a shelter for people affected by the storm. Residents who can safely walk there are also being told they can go to Fire Station 1 on East Broadway Street.