At least 70 dead after ‘most severe tornado event’ in Kentucky's history, governor says
Governor believes death toll will exceed 100
Kentucky Governor provides update on deadly tornado outbreak
Gov. Andy Beshear said at least 70 are dead and damages are reported across 12 Kentucky counties.
MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Multiple tornadoes have touched down in over a dozen Kentucky counties after one of the most severe tornado events in the state’s history, the governor said.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency based on the significant tornado damage in multiple Western Kentucky counties. He said in a press conference Saturday that the death toll has reached 70 and could exceed 100.
By Sunday, local media reported that the death toll had risen to 80 and could continue to climb.
The primary tornado was on the ground continuously for over 270 miles in the state, according to Beshear, who said the storm was "something we have never seen before."
The tornado-producing storm moved through five states from Arkansas to Kentucky overnight leaving catastrophic damage in its wake. When the sun came up Saturday, the full extent of the damage became clear.
"The damage is even worse now that we have first light," Beshear said.
According to the governor, Graves County appears to be hit the hardest -- which is where the city of Mayfield was destroyed.
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Image 1 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 3 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: A tattered American flag flies at half-mast for Sen. Bob Dole in front of the heavy tornado-damaged courthouse on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 4 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: General view of tornado damage of the downtown area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 5 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 6 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 7 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 8 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 9 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 10 of 24MAYFIELD, KY - DECEMBER 11: People search through a tornado-damaged building on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of the lower Midwest late on Friday night leaving a large path of destruction and unknown fatalities. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 11 of 24Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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Image 12 of 24Kentucky's Governor issued a state of emergency overnight because of the significant damage. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 13 of 24Up to 200 people were reportedly trapped inside a candle factory. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 14 of 24The National Weather Service said they took a power hit and handed over their duties to another weather service office. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 15 of 24"There's a ton of debris all over the roadway that we've had to cut through with a chainsaw, drag trees out of the way with chains, " Adair said. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 16 of 24Adair and his colleagues were helping deputies to help clear the roads, as they were impassable, along with searching for residents within the town. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 17 of 24Storm chaser Brett Adair was there right after the tornado hit. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 18 of 24"The scope is just so massive in terms of the damage that you know this was a higher-end destructive and possibly deadly tornado that moved through here," Adair said. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 19 of 24There were multiple reports of catastrophic damage within the city as a confirmed large tornado moved through the city. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 20 of 24A tornado emergency is an enhanced warning to catch the attention of residents. The National Weather Service created the warning for the rare situation when a severe threat to human life is imminent or ongoing. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 21 of 24Search and rescue operations are underway as catastrophic damage was reported. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 22 of 24The National Weather Service urged residents to take shelter as the tornado was confirmed. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 23 of 24A Tornado Emergency was issued for Mayfield, Kentucky, as a large tornado was spotted moving through the city. (Brett Adair / LSM)
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Image 24 of 24Active search and rescues happening in Mayfield, KY. (Brett Adair / LSM)
"A roof collapse at a candle factory has resulted in mass casualties," Beshear said.
Beshear issued a state of emergency just before midnight Saturday and has activated the National Guard. The state is deploying 181 guardsmen, including search and rescue and debris clearance teams.
"The Transportation Cabinet has mobilized its heavy equipment to help clear debris. They’ll be assisted by the Guard and the Division of Forestry," Beshear said.
Drone footage shows extent of violent tornado that raked through Mayfield, Kentucky
Meteorologist and storm tracker Brett Adair flew a drone over the Mayfield Consumer Products facility in Mayfield, Kentucky, on Dec. 11, 2021, where numerous injuries and likely fatalities have taken place.
The governor has requested an immediate federal emergency declaration. In addition, two tractor-trailers filled with water are headed towards Western Kentucky.
"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," Beshear said. "To all of our Kentucky families that are impacted by this, we want you to know that we are here for you. We love you. We are praying for you."
I arrived here in Mayfield KY just moments ago to the factory where multiple casualties have been reported. A horrific landscape. @foxweather pic.twitter.com/AU1GGSnM4a
— Will Nunley (@willnunley) December 11, 2021
Counties with likely damage and debris include Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Breckenridge, Bullit, Spencer, Shelby, Christian, Logan, Warren, Edmondson, Taylor and Marion counties.
"We will make it through this. We will rebuild. We are strong, resilient people. And we’re going to be there every step of the way," Beshear said.