Kentucky declares a state of emergency and confirms 19 deaths from storms

• Deadly Kentucky storms leave a death toll.
• The governor declared a state of emergency.
• Other states were also affected.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency.

This follows deadly storms and tornadoes that have killed several people in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky.

The storms caused blocked roads, flooding and power outages, affecting more than 210,000 homes.

Before you continue reading, we invite you to listen to the new Tu Mundo Hoy podcast by clicking HERE.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Deadly Kentucky storms wreaked havoc in the state

The governor of Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear, declared a state of emergency on Monday.

This follows deadly storms and tornadoes that hit the south-central United States.

The storms caused at least 19 deaths in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky.

Beshear said that “at least four people” have died across the state due to the bad weather.

What did the governor of Kentucky say?

I’m sad to share we have another reported death as a result of yesterday’s storms. A 54-year-old man died from a heart attack while cutting fallen trees in Caldwell County. His loved ones are in our prayers during this difficult time.

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 27, 2024

“Sadly, we can confirm that we have lost four Kentuckians from last night’s storm,” he said in a press conference from the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center.

The fatalities ranged in age from 34 to 67 years old, according to ABC 36.

“We have a lot of roads that are blocked by trees and some roads that are flooded out. Don’t drive through a flooded road. Also, power lines are down in many parts of Kentucky; do not go near them,” the governor added.

He also posted on X, asking residents to take safety precautions.

What did the National Weather Service say?

Watch a massive tornado tear through southwest Oklahoma on Thursday as captured LIVE and broadcast in our app.

The great news? No structural damage or casualties! Instead, a great opportunity for hardcore science from teams of dedicated researchers: pic.twitter.com/HgkW7ybdUT

— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) May 27, 2024

The National Weather Service office in Paducah, Kentucky, issued tornado and flash flood warnings for several counties late Sunday.

Strong storms were recorded in the south-central United States on Saturday night.

As of Monday, they have caused the death of at least 19 people, but the number is expected to continue increasing.

President Biden, stated in a statement on Sunday that the tornadoes in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma had devastated “entire communities, leaving a trail of destruction.”

What happened in Texas?

The multivortex stage of the Eldorado, Oklahoma tornado was one of the most impressive things I have ever observed in nature. 10/10 experience, I would happily run for my life from this thing again #okwx pic.twitter.com/k2biZXc0TJ

—Spencer Dant (@sdantwx) May 26, 2024

The hardest-hit state on Sunday was Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott also ordered a state of emergency for more than a third of counties.

“We are experiencing a heartbreaking loss of life, including the anguish of a family who lost their 2- and 5-year-old children,” the Texas governor said Sunday.

He added that the authorities are searching through the rubble to make sure that no one is missing.

He also reported that dozens of homes were destroyed and thousands of residents are without electricity due to adverse weather conditions.

What steps did Arkansas take?

Radar and satellite of the tornadic supercell responsible for the powerful East Duke, Oklahoma tornado @Sawyer_WX @meteobro #severewx #meteo pic.twitter.com/apq06c2bO7

—Stormyalert (@Stormyalert) May 27, 2024

In Arkansas, authorities reported the deaths of seven other people, including a 26-year-old woman.

She was found dead outside a destroyed house in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, according to EFE.

This happend on Memorial Day weekend.

The storms remained south of Illinois, southwest Indiana and southeast Missouri, as well as parts of Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.