At least 5 dead after Kentucky storms, state of emergency declared, governor says

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on the impact of Sunday’s severe storms across Kentucky.

On Monday, Kentucky Emergency Management director Eric Gibson and Kentucky Transportation Cabine secretary Jim Gray joined the governor at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort to provide updates.

Beshear stated deaths occurred in the city of Louisville as well as Hardin, Hopkins, Caldwell and Mercer counties. The governor declared a state of emergency Sunday night as storms produced multiple waves of heavy showers and thunderstorms, bringing strong winds, large hail and strong tornadoes.

The governor said, “We know we had at least one tornado on the ground, at least 40 miles. and a number of other tornadoes that spun down and spun back up. We are awaiting the national weather service to confirm those tornados.”

The most recent death as of Monday night includes a man who died of a heart attack in Caldwell County while cutting trees, according to the governor’s social media. In addition, Beshear says a Hopkins County man was injured and is currently in the hospital in critical condition.

The governor is traveling to the hardest impacted areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties.

But Beshear says there is one thing Kentucky does know how to do in the face of disaster.

“But like we always see after severe weather events, first responders and everyday Kentuckians rallied to help each other in those toughest moments,” Beshear said. “They checked on loved ones and started to clean out and rebuild.”

News 40 will continue to follow up with the latest updates.