While the end of the storm was coming through, Gov. Andy Beshear spoke in a press conference alerting that multiple tornadoes touched down and damage had already been seen in over a dozen Kentucky counties.
“The primary tornado continuously touched down for over 200 miles in our state, something we have never seen before,” Beshear said.
Deaths were reported in multiple counties. The Governor estimated this morning the death toll will exceed 50 Kentuckians; although it’s possible to be closer to 70-100 in total.
The city of Mayfield in Graves County was the hardest hit, largely due to the destruction of a candle factory causing several casualties.
Beshear said counties with likely debris include Fulton, Hickman, Graves, Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Breckenridge, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Christian, Logan, Warren, Edmonson, Taylor and Marion.
As of 4:45 a.m., there were 56,854 people without power, according to the Governor.
Owensboro officials and organizations are taking steps to ensure that the city remains safe during this time.
Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch is implementing its emergency action plan.
“Owensboro-Daviess County has implemented the emergency action plan to staff the local fire department in your community if you have a serious emergency and cannot reach 911,” 911 Director Paul Nave said.
Daviess County Emergency Management Agency Director Andy Ball said that Daviess County did not experience any damage other than a few lightning strikes on substations.
“We had some intermittent power outages. I’m trying to work with the cells, getting the cells restored as they are intermittent,” Ball said.
Ball said that Daviess County and Owensboro are coordinating to send assets to other counties.
