Kentucky requests ‘major disaster’ declaration amid tornado wreckage

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has formally requested the federal government to declare a “major disaster” as the state grapples with the aftermath of deadly tornadoes that swept through the state this weekend.

During a press conference on Sunday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Deanne Criswell confirmed that Kentucky has made the request, saying if it is approved, additional federal resources would be provided. 

WATCH at 3:15 PM CT: @SecMayorkas joins @GovAndyBeshear and @FEMA_Deanne to share updates about the disaster response effort in western Kentucky. https://t.co/b3kZw5OFh0

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 12, 2021

The Biden Administration had already declared a federal emergency in Kentucky as thousands of residents face housing, food, water, and power shortages, according to Reuters.

A group of storms swept through the midwestern and South region of the U.S. over the weekend, leaving more than 80 people dead.

Beshear has said the death toll from the storms in Kentucky could rise above 100, adding at the news conference that more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed during the storm. 

“I don’t think we’ll have seen damage at this scale, ever,” Beshear said.

Beshear said he doesn’t know how many injuries were sustained in the disaster, but that hospitals in the region have a significant number of patients from the storm. 

Four Kentucky counties have reported death tolls in the double digits, Kentucky.com reported. 

“We’re still finding bodies,” Beshear said.