Kentucky Press news Service
After visiting catastrophic damages from Friday’s severe storms and tornadoes, Gov. Steve Beshear spoke with President Barack Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to relay critical emergency information and reaffirm Kentucky’s commitment to get relief to citizens quickly.
“The scope and magnitude of devastation in some of our communities is unlike anything I have ever seen,” Beshear said in a statement issued by his office. “I’ve been in close contact with President Obama since Thursday to ensure we will have the resources our families will need to recover from these storms.”
Beshear authorized the Kentucky National Guard to deploy to communities as needed to assist with lifesaving efforts, security, and traffic control. So far, more than 220 troops have mobilized to five counties in Kentucky.
Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson visited storm-stricken areas Saturday morning. Beshear, along with Sen. Robert Stivers and Sen. Damon Thayer, toured heavy damage in communities in Morgan, Magoffin and Kenton counties. They were joined by Rep. John Will Stacy in West Liberty, Rep. John Short in Salyersville, and Rep. Adam Koenig in Piner.
Abramson assessed damage in the community of East Bernstadt in Laurel County with Sen. Tom Jenson.
“Gov. Beshear and I will do everything in our power to speed resources and assistance to our communities as we begin to recover from these storms,” Abramson said. “The damage to some of our towns is nearly incomprehensible. This is a difficult time, and we are holding all affected Kentuckians in our thoughts and prayers.”
The Kentucky Department of Public Health reports 18 fatalities from the storm. Approximately 300 injuries have been reported.
Beshear declared a statewide emergency Friday to allow local officials immediate access to state resources to assist in public safety and recovery efforts. Twelve counties have declared states of emergency: Bath, Campbell, Johnson, Kenton, Laurel, Lawrence, Magoffin, Martin, Ohio, Pendleton, Rowan, and Trimble counties as well as the city of Paintsville.
Trained spotters and law enforcement officers throughout the state reported tornadoes in 19 different counties, according to Kentucky Emergency Management. Twenty-seven additional counties have reported damage.
Damage assessments and rescue missions continue. Severe storms began rolling across the state Friday afternoon beginning in the far western part of the state and moved north and east of the Ohio River from Indiana.
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