United States President Joe Biden declared Kentucky a federal disaster after tornadoes swept through the area, leaving at least 74 people dead and over 100 people still missing.
CNN reports that more than 50 tornadoes ripped through Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee last week. The epicenter of destruction was Kentucky, with one tornado tracked for 227 miles—a record on American soil.
A desperate search for survivors is underway as at least 100 people are reported missing amid heaps of debris.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday:
“We’re going to have lost thousands of homes because when this tornado hit, it didn’t rip a roof off. I mean, it obliterated houses—just totally gone. So, there’s going to be a lot of work and Kentuckians need to know that we’re going to be with them, and the country is going to be with them, not just today and not just this week, but in the months and even the years to come.”
President Biden is expected to visit the destruction on Wednesday, but noted, “I haven’t decided where I’m going yet. What I indicated to the governor when we talked about this two days ago was that I don’t want to be in the way.”
By way of encouragement, Biden said, “I want you to know that this administration has made clear to every governor, whatever they need, when they need it… make it known to me, and they will get it to them as rapidly, as rapidly as we can.”
In Illinois, an EF-3 tornado damaged a 1.1 million-square-foot Amazon facility. Six employees were killed. According to the New York Post, at least one of the workers who died, Larry Virden, was told by Amazon not to leave.
Virden’s girlfriend of 13 years, Cherie Jones, shared the following text she received from Virden shortly before the tornado hit: “Amazon won’t let me leave until after the storm blows over.” That well-meaning but wrong decision cost Virden his life.
The Epoch Times notes that Biden’s national emergency declaration was made in conjunction with Kentucky’s governor and makes federal funding available to Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor, and Warren counties.
FEMA notes that those approved for relief can receive grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and loans to cover other expenses not covered by insurance.
President Biden said he would make similar emergency declarations for Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri if requested by the governors of those states.
“They lost their homes, they lost their businesses,” the President said. “And it’s a tragedy. It’s a tragedy. And we still don’t know how many lives were lost or the full extent of the damage.”
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