Gov. Andy Beshear said more than 80 people are presumed dead in Kentucky after deadly tornadoes tore through the state Friday, causing catastrophic damage.
Driving the news: "This is the deadliest tornado event we've ever had" in the state, Beshear said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."
- That the tornadoes hit at night when people tend to have more difficulty receiving warnings likely played a role in causing so many fatalities.
What they're saying: "We have entire towns flattened," Beshear said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
- "There’s not a camera lens big enough to show the path of absolute destruction," he continued. "People have lost everything."
Catch up quick: More than two dozen tornadoes reportedly touched down across Kentucky and five other states: Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee.
- Radar imagery picked up tornado debris — pieces of homes and businesses —lofted to at least 30,000 feet by the extreme winds, and a weather station on the ground near Mayfield, Kentucky, recorded a wind gust of 107 mph at the time the tornado struck.
President Biden on Saturday issued an emergency declaration in Kentucky and ordered federal assistance to support recovery efforts after a tornado tore through the state killing at least 70 people.
- Biden spoke with Beshear several times Saturday, most recently in the evening to get an update on the latest damage assessments and search and rescue efforts.
- The president reaffirmed that the federal government will continue to offer assistance in whatever ways are needed.
- Beshear declared a state of emergency on Saturday and activated the Kentucky National Guard to assist with rescue efforts.
Go deeper: Fatalities, property destruction and power outages in six states slammed by tornadoes
