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**UPDATE** Gov. Beshear provides 2nd Monday update on storm response

In Local, News, State by OC Monitor Staff

**UPDATE** FRANKFORT, Ky. (5:05 p.m.-12/13/21) —This afternoon, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on his administration’s response to the Dec. 11 quad-state tornado. First Lady Britainy Beshear joined him to announce the Western Kentucky Christmas Toy Drive for impacted families.

Beshear said:

  • At least 74 Kentuckians are confirmed dead from the tornado outbreak.
  • Newly reported deaths: one in Graves County; four in Hopkins County; three in Warren County; one in Franklin County.
  • As of now, there are 109 Kentuckians reported as unaccounted for, but Beshear said he expects that number is higher.
  • Homeowners or property owners with damage should take photos, make a list of damaged property and document everything they possibly can.
  • The Graves County Senior Center and Western Kentucky Allied Services Building – the Community Action Building – have been damaged so extensively that there is no way to prepare meals. The Department for Aging and Independent Living sounded the call for assistance among community aging partners. Within 20 minutes, over 2,300 shelf-stable meals had been committed. These meals will be transported from senior centers in Breckenridge, Nelson and Fayette counties to 300 homebound seniors in Graves County by way of Community Action staff. Further work is underway to secure additional meals.
  • For outside donations (material items like food, supplies, etc.) please call Graves County Emergency Management at 270-727-5114. For volunteer sign up, Graves County Emergency Management has established a website.
  • The Paducah Police Department has volunteered to accept outside donations such as food and supplies. Call them at 270-444-8590 or visit 1400 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42003.
  • The Kentucky State Police is requesting ALL Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory employees go to His House Ministries Church at 1250 KY-303 in Mayfield. KSP is in the process of verifying information provided by executives from MCP candle factory to ensure that all potential victims are accounted for. Call 888-880-8620 (MCP employee support line) if transportation is unavailable.
  • KSP is also working in conjunction with Chief Medical Examiner Bill Ralston to assist with victim identification.
  • Kentucky State Parks are providing emergency shelters to distressed people affected by the tornado. Currently, Kentucky State Parks are providing lodging for the American Red Cross, utility crews, first responders and displaced families.
  • The commonwealth has designated the following parks as part of the state’s emergency response efforts: Kentucky Dam Village (30 rooms available); Kenlake State Resort Park (58 rooms available, park has hook-up outlets that could be used for three washers and three dryers and will accept donations); Lake Barkley State Resort Park (awaiting electricity to be restored, an additional 56 rooms will available); Barren River Lake State Resort Park (30 rooms available); John James Audubon State Park (one cottage available); Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park (no rooms are available; all 37 rooms occupied); Rough River Dam State Resort Park (47 rooms available).
  • Families who are in need of emergency housing should contact their local emergency management office to request lodging. If a family in need arrives at a Kentucky State Park without having contacted their local emergency management office, park staff and volunteers should assist them in doing so when they arrive.
  • Kentuckians who reside in Lyon, Fulton, Graves, Muhlenberg, Marshall, Hopkins and Caldwell counties will receive priority placement.
  • Volunteers are needed at Kenlake, Kentucky Dam Village, Rough River Dam, and Lake Barkley State Parks. Volunteers will need to provide their own accommodations. Some parks can provide a camping space for self-contained camping. People willing to volunteer should email Andy Kasitz at andy.kasitz@ky.gov.
  • Many of Kentucky’s major agriculture operations reside in Western Kentucky and were impacted by the historic tornadoes that devastated the area. To help identify the needs of our farmers and provide a swift response, the Governor has created an Agriculture Working Group.
  • More than 440 Kentucky National Guard members are supporting storm relief.
  • 95 fatality search and recovery soldiers are working in Mayfield.
  • 55 Guardsmen are providing Logistics Support to the State Logistics Support Area located at Wendell Ford Regional Training Center (Greenville) in order to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s equipment push to the affected area.
  • Three National Guard Chaplains are providing spiritual guidance to soldiers and civilians in the affected communities.

First Lady Announces Toys for Team Western Kentucky

Today, the First Lady thanked 44,358 donors who have contributed $6,258,267.91 to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. Initially, this fund will help families who lost a loved one cover funeral expenses.

Then, she launched Western Kentucky Christmas Toy Drive, a toy drive where Kentuckians across the state can come together to make this Christmas special for as many kids and teens as possible who were impacted by the Dec. 11 tornadoes.

“This time of year, we all look forward to being home for the holidays, spending time with those who mean the most to us. Now, many of our families don’t have houses to go home to. Or even worse, they’ve lost someone they love who made their family whole,” said the First Lady. “I can only imagine the pain and grief these Kentuckians are feeling at this moment. I know so many of you feel the same way, and want to know how you can help make this season a little easier for those who are hurting.”

  • From tomorrow, Dec. 13, until Saturday, Dec. 18, Kentuckians can drop off new, unwrapped toys, games, books or technology in original packaging to 20 locations across the state. Thirteen of those locations are KSP posts and the largest drop-off location is Broadbent Arena in Louisville. People can also mail gifts to Broadbent Arena.
  • To see a list of all drop-off locations and addresses, visit FirstLady.ky.gov/ToyDrive.
  • People can also donate $25 Visa/Mastercard gift cards. The First Lady said these gift cards are a great option so parents and guardians have the flexibility to buy their kids exactly what they most want or need for the holidays, and so they can support local businesses impacted by the storms. Buying $25 cards will help state officials distribute donations equally among families, but the First Lady encouraged donors to contribute multiple $25 gift cards if they are able.
  • If Kentuckians have already started a toy drive at their school, at their business or in their neighborhood, the First Lady asked them to bring those toys to one of the 20 central locations listed at FirstLady.ky.gov/ToyDrive so state officials can transport them to Western Kentucky.
  • The First Lady asked Kentuckians not to wrap gifts. Instead, she encouraged people to donate gift-wrapping supplies.
  • The First Lady said clothing donations are not being accepted as part of this particular drive.

“Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank our No. 1 partner in this effort, who I know can’t wait to visit Kentucky soon: Santa Claus,” said the First Lady.

COVID-19 Case Information, Vaccinations Update

Number of people who have received at least one vaccine dose in Kentucky: 2,731,731

Dec. 11, Cases: 2,308
Dec. 11, Deaths: 55
Dec. 12, Cases: 989
Dec. 12, Deaths: 37

New Cases Today: 1,089
New Deaths: 28
Today’s Positivity Rate: 8.78%
Current Hospitalizations: 1,253
Current Intensive Care Admittances: 315
Currently on Ventilators: 181

During the week ending Dec. 12, 15,852 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kentucky, and the average test positivity rate was 8.90%.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (12:30 p.m.-12/13/21) — Monday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on his administration’s response to the Dec. 11 quad-state tornado outbreak.

To watch Beshear’s remarks, click here. He provided key updates:

  • This was the worst tornado event in state history;
  • At least four tornados touched down in Kentucky; one was on the ground for more than 200 miles in this state alone;
  • We believe 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed;
  • In eight counties, lives were lost;
  • In eighteen counties, there was significant damage;
  • There are 64 confirmed deaths at this point: 20 in Graves County, 13 in Hopkins County, 11 in Muhlenberg County; 12 in Warren County; four in Caldwell County; one each in Marshall, Taylor, Fulton and Lyon counties;
  • There are 18 people who died in the storm who are still unidentified;
  • Ages of those lost range from 5 months to 86 years;
  • At least six of those lost were younger than 18;
  • 105 people remain unaccounted for;
  • Mayfield Consumer Products owner says eight employees were killed and eight are still missing. Beshear is hoping for a miracle and is working to confirm this report;
  • Final death and destruction numbers may take a week or more;
  • Yesterday, President Joe Biden declared that a major disaster exists in Kentucky and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected;
  • The declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren counties;
  • Starting today, residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing Kentuckians); The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice;
  • At least 300 National Guard members have been deployed to help;
  • Hundreds of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Energy and Environment Cabinet Division of Forestry staff members are clearing debris;
  • Kentucky State Parks in the area are now open to host families who need housing for at least two weeks. Volunteers who are willing to assist state parks staff housing distressed guests should contact Kentucky State Parks Division Director Andy Kasitz at andy.kasitz@ky.gov;
  • Beshear ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Tuesday through next Monday evening in honor of those lost and impacted;
  • The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund will provide $5,000 to each victim’s family for funeral expenses. There is no need to apply the state will be working to contact families;
  • As of this morning, the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has received:
  • Both Department for Community Based Services locations in Mayfield/Graves County suffered damage and cannot serve the public at this time. A mobile unit has been requested. Until the mobile unit is ready, those who need help may call 855-306-8959, or they may apply for help online on the kynect site. The URL is kynect.ky.gov. Starting today, a special queue is in place for people needing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP;
  • Walgreens in Mayfield has been the only pharmacy that’s been open and starting today, Walmart Pharmacy plans to open for prescription fulfillment;
  • Around 30,000 homes are still without power;
  • Any family members of missing loved ones should report to the office building of His House Ministries to provide a reference standard to law enforcement for identification purposes. His House Ministries is located at 1250 KY-303 in Mayfield. Anyone who needs assistance in getting to His House Ministries can call 859-267-7775.
  • The Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratory is using Rapid DNA technology to assist in the identification of victims in Friday night’s storms;
  • Rapid DNA has been used throughout the country for this purpose and can provide results in less than two hours. This allows family members to be reunited with the remains of their loved ones as quickly as possible.