Several states are counting fatalities and evaluating damage after a deadly, powerful tornado and storm system ripped through Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas Friday night.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear revealed that his state was brutally hit by the twister and that the death toll there is expected to reach 70 victims.
“We have deaths in multiple counties. This is one of the toughest nights in Kentucky’s history…We are here for you. We love you. We are praying for you,” he said.
Similar reports of storm-related causalities emerged Saturday morning in Tennessee and Arkansas where dozens of residents at a Monette Manor nursing home were trapped with at least one person confirmed dead.
Shortly later, the storm reached Illinois where it trapped nearly 100 employees at an Amazon distribution center in Edwardsville.
The building sustained a “structural collapse” due to heavy winds trapping people inside as they worked their night shift.
“The safety and well-being of our employees and partners is our top priority right now,” Richard Rocha, Amazon’s Spokesperson, said.
“We’re assessing the situation and will share additional information when it’s available.”
At least one person died and two others were injured in Charles County, Missouri as a result of the tornado.
“We’ve been on the scene for quite a while now and expect to be on scene for quite a while longer,” St. Charles County Ambulance District Director Kyle Gaines said. “We’ll be doing house-to-house checks to make sure everyone is Okay.”
