Death toll in devastating Tornadoes rises to 100 in US state of Kentucky

In the United States, the death toll due to the devastating swarm of tornadoes that ripped through Kentucky has risen to over 100. A swarm of tornadoes tore through a 200-mile path through the US Midwest and South, demolishing homes and setting off a scramble to find survivors beneath the rubble. The affected states include Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear termed the collection of tornadoes as the most destructive in the state’s history. Governor Beshear informed that around 40 workers had been rescued at the candle factory in the city of Mayfield. There were about 110 people inside the factory when tornadoes reduced it to a pile of rubble.

Beshear said that 189 National Guard personnel have been deployed for rescue and relief operations. The rescue efforts will focus in large part on Mayfield, home to some 10,000 people in the southwestern corner of the state where it converges with Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.

According to local media reports, a storm ripped through a massive Amazon warehouse in the state of Illinois where around 100 workers were left trapped inside. Of these, at least six workers have been confirmed killed in the warehouse.

Dean Flener, spokesperson for Tennessee’s Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the severe weather killed at least three people in the state. Missouri Governor Mike Parson said that two people were killed in their homes in the state.  The tornadoes have also caused power outages in large parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.

unthinkable damage to the community of Mayfield, Kentucky —the governor says the death toll after devastating tornadoes will exceed 50 after "one of the toughest nights in Kentucky history."

incredible footage via @bclemms pic.twitter.com/Lm5xPvNU19

— j.d. durkin 🌱 (@jd_durkin) December 11, 2021