LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – After storms ripped through Kentucky over Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of thousands of people were left without power, and several areas were damaged.
At least four people were killed as a result of the weather, including a 34-year-old man in Louisville. Governor Andy Beshear said in a weather update on Monday that a fifth person is in critical condition after being injured in the storms.
“That means we know that there’s at least four families this morning that suffered the loss of a loved one less than 24 hours ago and are hurting,” Beshear said. “We ought to rally around and do everything we can to carry them in the days, the weeks and the years to come.”
National Weather Service Louisville said at least two preliminary tornadoes have been confirmed in Eastern Meade and Northern Hardin County and another in Butler and Northern Warren County. In Meade County, an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds went through a 1.3 mile path
On the Meade and Hardin County line, NWS said another EF-1 tornado came through with 90 mph winds.
Beshear spent Monday traveling to some of the hardest hit areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to view storm damage and talk to those local officials and families. He urges those impacted by the storm to take photos before cleaning up and report the damages to local county emergency management officials.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson stressed that help remains available, “The number I wanted to make sure that I shared with you is to our 24-hour watch center that is staffed around the clock here, and this number is not only good when we are in the middle of a storm but if there’s something that you need that you think that Kentucky Emergency Management can provide, we keep staff here 24-7. 1-800-255-2587 – that will be something you want to use if you’re having trouble making contact with your KSP post or local emergency management, as we know they are extremely busy right now.
