Kentucky’s death toll could exceed 100 from tornadoes that raced across the western half of the commonwealth Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Mayfield was hit the hardest, as an extremely violent tornado hit a candle factory with 110 people inside. Only 40 had been rescued, as of about noon Saturday.
Governor Andy Beshear believes it will go down as the deadliest severe weather outbreak in the history of Kentucky.
He says the state and federal government have pledged to support those who’ve been affected by the storms.
President Biden approved Kentucky’s federal disaster declaration request within hours.
There are at least 10 deaths in Muhlenberg County, including District Judge Brian Crick and the mother of retired Guthrie Police Chief Keith Dwyer.
Dawson Springs has also been hit hard, with some residents still unaccounted for and multiple homes and structures leveled by the tornado.
Western Kentucky University canceled its winter commencement after a student set to graduate was killed in a tornado in Warren County.