Kentucky tornadoes: At least 4 touched down, more than 70 likely killed

At least 70 people are feared dead in Kentucky after tornadoes and severe weather tore through multiple states and caused catastrophic damage.Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference Saturday that the death toll may even exceed 100. “This event is the worst, most devastating tornado event in Kentucky’s history,” Beshear said. “I believe that by the end of today or tomorrow, we will be north of at least 70 lives lost here in Kentucky, I think we will have lost more than 100 people and I think it could rise significantly in those numbers.”(Listen to his full statements in the player above)Beshear announced during the latest news conference that President Joe Biden has signed a federal emergency declaration for the state in response to the deadly tornadoes.>> DONATE: Join WLKY and American Red Cross’ disaster relief effortsThe city of Mayfield, Kentucky was hit particularly hard, including a candle manufacturing factory that was operating at the time the twister hit. There were 110 people in the building at the time that it was nearly collapsed by the tornado. Beshear said 40 people were rescued from the building. Dozens are expected to be lost from there. “This tornado event may surpass the 1974 super outbreak as one of the most deadly in Kentucky’s history,” said Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett.Dossett went on to say that rescue efforts are underway and being conducted by local response teams while Beshear said the National Guard has been activated, with 181 guardsmen being deployed. Kentucky State Police have been working all night to save lives as well. >> Here’s how you can help Kentucky’s tornado victimsBeshear urged people in affected communities to stay off the roads, and he urged others to not go to the affected areas. For those wanting to help, Beshear said a Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has been set up to help storm victims. The tornado that ravaged multiple Kentucky counties also killed people in Arkansas. The supercell has been weakening and strengthening as it has moved throughout the night and morning. Beshear said the tornado that hit Mayfield was a tornado that touched down and stayed on the ground for 227 miles. That tornado started in the northeastern corner of Arkansas and followed a northeasterly path from there that took it through parts of Missouri and Tennessee before slashing into over 200 miles of Kentucky. That makes that single tornado likely to eclipse the track of the current record holding 1925 tri-state tornado as the longest tornado in terms of touchdown time in the entire nation’s history.The long red circled area in this graphic shows that tornado’s path. There were two more tornados reported very close to each other south of the tornado that severely hit Mayfield. The governor declared a state of emergency after 1 a.m. and he activated the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police to help the areas affected.Severe winds have been reported throughout the night as well. More damage is expected to come from that as well. There have also been reports of a strong tornado in Bowling Green, and reports of another in Taylorsville.Beshear noted that Dawson Springs, his father former Governor Steve Beshear’s hometown, was also hit really hard as well. Power outages are also beginning to climb across the western Kentucky area, according to Beshear. There will be more updates to come as the sun rises. Daybreak will likely reveal the loss of life and property damage to climb even more. Beshear predicted loss of life in at least five Kentucky counties.The following counties were all affected to some degree or another: Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Breckinridge, Ohio, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Logan, Christian, Warren, Edmonson, Taylor and Marion.

MAYFIELD, Ky. —

At least 70 people are feared dead in Kentucky after tornadoes and severe weather tore through multiple states and caused catastrophic damage.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference Saturday that the death toll may even exceed 100. 

“This event is the worst, most devastating tornado event in Kentucky’s history,” Beshear said. “I believe that by the end of today or tomorrow, we will be north of at least 70 lives lost here in Kentucky, I think we will have lost more than 100 people and I think it could rise significantly in those numbers.”

(Listen to his full statements in the player above)

Beshear announced during the latest news conference that President Joe Biden has signed a federal emergency declaration for the state in response to the deadly tornadoes.

>> DONATE: Join WLKY and American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts

The city of Mayfield, Kentucky was hit particularly hard, including a candle manufacturing factory that was operating at the time the twister hit. There were 110 people in the building at the time that it was nearly collapsed by the tornado. Beshear said 40 people were rescued from the building. Dozens are expected to be lost from there. 

“This tornado event may surpass the 1974 super outbreak as one of the most deadly in Kentucky’s history,” said Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett.

Dossett went on to say that rescue efforts are underway and being conducted by local response teams while Beshear said the National Guard has been activated, with 181 guardsmen being deployed. Kentucky State Police have been working all night to save lives as well. 

>> Here’s how you can help Kentucky’s tornado victims

Beshear urged people in affected communities to stay off the roads, and he urged others to not go to the affected areas. For those wanting to help, Beshear said a Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has been set up to help storm victims. 

The tornado that ravaged multiple Kentucky counties also killed people in Arkansas. The supercell has been weakening and strengthening as it has moved throughout the night and morning. 

Beshear said the tornado that hit Mayfield was a tornado that touched down and stayed on the ground for 227 miles. 

That tornado started in the northeastern corner of Arkansas and followed a northeasterly path from there that took it through parts of Missouri and Tennessee before slashing into over 200 miles of Kentucky. 

That makes that single tornado likely to eclipse the track of the current record holding 1925 tri-state tornado as the longest tornado in terms of touchdown time in the entire nation’s history.

The long red circled area in this graphic shows that tornado’s path. 

Kentucky Governor’s Office

There were two more tornados reported very close to each other south of the tornado that severely hit Mayfield. 

The governor declared a state of emergency after 1 a.m. and he activated the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police to help the areas affected.

Severe winds have been reported throughout the night as well. More damage is expected to come from that as well. 

There have also been reports of a strong tornado in Bowling Green, and reports of another in Taylorsville.

Beshear noted that Dawson Springs, his father former Governor Steve Beshear’s hometown, was also hit really hard as well. 

Power outages are also beginning to climb across the western Kentucky area, according to Beshear. 

There will be more updates to come as the sun rises. Daybreak will likely reveal the loss of life and property damage to climb even more. 

Beshear predicted loss of life in at least five Kentucky counties.

The following counties were all affected to some degree or another: Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Breckinridge, Ohio, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Logan, Christian, Warren, Edmonson, Taylor and Marion.