It sowed death and desolation in its path. A tornado has killed at least 50 people in Kentucky, the governor of this American state, Andy Beshear, announced on Saturday, December 11. “I’m afraid that there are more than 50 dead in Kentucky (…), we are probably closer to 70 to 100 dead, it’s awful”, he said at a press conference.
Most of the destruction is concentrated in Graves County, including the town of Mayfield, he added, according to his comments reported by CNN (in English). The collapsed roof of a candle-making factory “claimed countless victims”, he explained. “Before midnight, I declared a state of emergency”, he clarified. Buildings affected include the Graves County Courthouse and adjoining jail.
Before / After of Graves County Courthouse in Mayfield, KY. #kywx pic.twitter.com/mWIphPrvIN
– Scott McClellan (@ALAWXChase) December 11, 2021
Video from the candle factory in Mayfield, Ky. (: Brandon Robbins) Gov. Beshear confirmed at least 50 deaths in western Ky. Following tornadoes Friday night >>> https://t.co/BuQpMh0rSu pic.twitter.com/GK4IlwzZKa
– KFVS News (@kfvsnews) December 11, 2021
This tornado is one of a multitude of tornadoes – at least 24, CNN reports – that occurred in five states (Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri) overnight from Friday to Saturday, as a line of powerful storms swept through the central United States.
As a reporter for the American television station noted on Twitter, the particularly deadly tornado traveled 370 kilometers from northeast Arkansas to western Kentucky.
At least 50 people are likely dead after a tornado hit southwestern Kentucky late Friday, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.https: //t.co/ukyYOkBX2b
– Derek Van Dam (@VanDamCNN) December 11, 2021
The state of Illinois was also affected, with a partially collapsed Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville. Employees were trapped in the rubble on Saturday, according to authorities and media, which speak of a hundred people.
DEVELOPING: This is a view of the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, where you can see the scope of damage and also search and rescue response. We’ve learned around 100 people were trapped inside. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/ToxT1L8cch
– Susan El Khoury (@SusanElKhoury) December 11, 2021
In Arkansas, one person was killed, media report. In Tennessee, at least two people have been killed in incidents related to the storm, according to an emergency management official quoted by local media.