Dozens dead as tornadoes hit Midwest and South US: NPR
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Dozens of people in the Midwest are believed to have died after severe weather triggered multiple tornadoes Friday night and early Saturday morning, tearing through several states including Kentucky, Illinois and Arkansas.
At least 70 people have died in Kentucky alone, the governor said, and the death toll could reach more than 100 by the end of today. President Biden called the demolition “devastating.”
Dozens Tornadoes have been recorded, with the worst of which occurred in western Kentucky, NPR’s David Schaper reported. Tornado warning from National Weather Service continued in the area Saturday morning.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at a news conference from western Kentucky, the worst-affected area of the state, that the Department of Homeland Security and the White House had secured a federal disaster declaration within a week. hour.
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“We’re going to see more resources pour into this area,” says Beshear.
In Mayfield, Ky., a candle factory was attacked, resulting in several deaths, Beshear said at a news conference earlier Saturday morning. At the time, the death toll was 50 but he said he expected the number to increase.
“We believe our death toll from this event will exceed 50 Kentuckians, possibly closer to 70 to 100 deaths,” he said.
“This was one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history,” Beshear said. “We’ll get through this. We’ll rebuild.”
John Amis / Agence France Presse / AFP via Getty Images
The devastation in the Mayfield area extends beyond the factory and several surrounding counties are supporting EMS, as the main emergency services center in town is in the storm’s direct line, local officials said. on Saturday. The water tower was also affected, leaving the town without water.
President Biden tweeted that he was briefed on the tornadoes and called them “devastating”.
“Losing a loved one in a storm like this is an unimaginable tragedy. We are working with Governors to make sure they have what they need as the search for survivors and assessment of the damage continues. The harm continues,” Biden said.
Image of Brett Carlsen / Getty
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett says Friday night tornado event could surpass 1974 Super flare It was the deadliest case in state history.
Social media reports show the severity harm from Friday night’s storm. ONE train derailed in the wind, damaging many houses. Two children in Hopkins County, Ky. Found alive in a bathtub were blown out of their homes.
Ronnie Noel, Hopkins County Judge, said NPR he traveled to nearby Dawson Springs to survey storm damage.
“It was completely devastated. Lots of power lines, trees everywhere. Houses were destroyed,” he said. “Someone lost their lives in Dawson [Springs] and it’s just absolutely devastating for the whole county. “
Jeff Roberson / AP
In Edwardsville, Ill., just east of St. Louis, severe weather has occurred Amazon Edwardsville Police Department said in statement On Facebook. It said there were confirmed deaths on the spot and that search and rescue efforts were still underway.
The damage included a roof ripped off the warehouse, the Associated Press reported, and a wall the length equivalent of a football field collapsed. The AP reported that at least one person at the warehouse had died, two were airlifted to a nearby hospital by helicopter and 30 were taken to a nearby police station for further evaluation.
Amazon said it is supporting employees in the area.
“We are deeply saddened by the news that members of our Amazon family have passed away as a result of the storm in Edwardsville, IL,” Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said in a statement to NPR.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by the storm,” Nantel said. “We’d also like to thank all of the first responders for their ongoing efforts in the field.”
Severe weather conditions also affected areas of Arkansas, where there is a nursing home, and Tennessee.
Dylan T. Lovan / AP
Judge Marvin Day from Craighead County, Ark., where the nursing home is located, told NPR that around midnight, one resident of the facility died and five were seriously injured.
“We’re grateful that there were no more injuries or deaths in the nursing home and surrounding area. It was a pretty strong storm that hit us, but people are doing what they can. do,” Day said.
He added that the biggest problem as of Saturday morning was getting power back on to many residents in the area.
This is a breaking news story. Some things that are reported in the media later turn out to be false. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, trusted news agencies and reporters present at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.