**UPDATED** BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (5:05 p.m.-12/11/21) — Today, at 3 p.m. CST, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on his administration’s response to last night’s deadly quad-state tornado.
Updates included some good news: President Joe Biden approved the emergency declaration the Governor requested earlier today. The declaration orders federal assistance to help with local response efforts. Beshear thanked the President for his commitment to helping our people recover.
“Today, Kentucky is absolutely united,” Beshear said. “We are united with our people; united to find and rescue as many as possible; united to grieve; and united to be here for our families impacted – not just today, but in the years to come so that we can rebuild together.”
Beshear also reminded Kentuckians of three tips for assisting impacted families:
- First, if they are in a community that has been hit hard by the storms, and they are safe and have power, stay off the roads. “Let our first responders get to everybody. Don’t go to these areas to see it. We need to make sure those who do this work can do it at the fastest possible speed,” Beshear said.
- Second, give blood. “We were already pretty short with COVID out there. We’re going to have a lot of deaths, but we are also going to have a lot of injuries,” Beshear said.
- Beshear added: “Third, we have set up a single fund connected with the state that people who want to help – in Kentucky and out of the state – can give to. It is solely dedicated to helping the on-the-ground efforts going on right now and the relief efforts these families are going to need to rebuild. The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund is now live at TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov.”
Earlier today, Beshear immediately declared a state of emergency and activated over 180 Kentucky National Guard members as well as the Kentucky State Police. The state also is using armories as places of refuge for Kentuckians in need of shelter.
State workers are on the ground to help clear roadways and debris.
Beshear held four media briefings today in Frankfort, Mayfield, Dawson Springs and Bowling Green. To read today’s earlier news release see below. The release includes information on the Beshear’s requests for the Federal Emergency Declaration and issuing an Executive Order prohibiting price gouging.
Video of Gov. Beshear’s storm response briefing can be found here.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on his administration’s response to last night’s deadly quad-state tornado. At more than 200 miles long, the storm event was the longest tornado track on record and the largest in Kentucky history.
“I want to thank every local emergency management employee, police officer, firefighter and first responder. This has been one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history. It’s hard to put into words,” said Beshear. “Remember, each of these lost lives are children of God, irreplaceable to their families and communities. But 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. This is one state standing strong.”
Beshear immediately declared a state of emergency and activated over 180 Kentucky National Guard members as well as the Kentucky State Police. The state also is using armories as places of refuge for Kentuckians in need of shelter.
State workers are on the ground to help clear roadways and debris. Beshear said he is working to quickly establish the Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to accept donations to help communities across this region recover.
Beshear already has held two media briefings, with at least two more planned today.
During this morning’s briefing in Mayfield, he said: “This will be, I believe, the deadliest tornado system to ever run through Kentucky. Earlier this morning at about 5 a.m., we were pretty sure that we would lose over 50 Kentuckians. I’m now certain that number is north of 70. It may in fact end up exceeding 100 before the day is done. The damage is even worse now that we have first light. A couple places have been hit incredibly hard, certainly Mayfield here in Graves County, but everywhere along the line of this tornado that touched down and stayed down for 227 miles.”
Beshear added: “Kentucky is united today behind the people of Western Kentucky. We want to be here to help dig out, to help make rescues, to help provide when people are suffering and then to help rebuild. This is not a one-day thing. This is one state, and we will stand united to make sure that we can lift our families back up. But please know that there are a lot of families that need your prayers, prayers that somebody may be found or prayers to help them through the grieving process.”
Gov. Beshear Requests Federal Emergency Declaration
Beshear said he has spoken directly to President Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell about his request for a federal emergency declaration. Beshear said he is expecting to receive approval.
“This will bring additional resources to Western Kentucky counties devastated by these tornadoes and allow for quicker reimbursements. I appreciate the President’s swift response during our time of need. Now we can get to work supporting our people as we recover,” said Beshear. “The entire commonwealth is with all of Western Kentucky, and those Kentuckians impacted are in our thoughts and prayers. We will get through this together.”
Gov. Beshear Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Price Gouging
Today, Beshear signed an executive order prohibiting price gouging in the aftermath of devastating storms overnight Friday that took multiple lives and left widespread damage.
Under the state declaration, Beshear is empowered to implement certain provisions to protect consumers. The Governor’s executive order prevents the sale of goods or services, such as gasoline, at a price grossly in excess of its sale point before the state of emergency was declared. The executive order remains in place for the duration of the state of emergency.
To report price gouging call 888-432-9257 or visit ag.ky.gov/pricegouging.