A scene of carnage after a devastating outbreak of tornadoes ripped through several US states.
(Picture: REUTERS)The death toll from tornadoes which have ripped through Kentucky has hit 64 as president Joe Biden declared an emergency in the state.
A further 105 people still are unaccounted for following the tornadoes whose youngest victim is just five year-old.
Governor Andy Beshear said around 30,000 homes across the state will be left without heat, water, and electricity in chilly temperatures for a “long time”.
It comes after President Joe Biden pledged to “provide whatever is needed” to those badly hit by Friday’s disaster. He will travel to Kentucky on Wednesday to view the damage.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Mr Biden will be “trying to be a source of comfort to people who have gone through a devastating couple of days in their communities.”
Gov Beshear said he expects the total number of deaths to increase - possibly to 70 or 80 - as emergency teams continue to search through the rubble.
He added: “It may be weeks before we have counts on both deaths and levels of destruction.”
Emergency workers, including 300 members of the National Guard, have been scouring debris for survivors and distributing water and generators to residents.
Mr Beshear said dogs were also being used to help search through rubble, adding that “we’re still finding bodies” in some locations.
“I’m not doing so well today and I’m not sure how many of us are,” the governor said during a press conference Monday. “The people of Western Kentucky have gone through an unspeakable trauma.”
“The devastation is unlike anything I have seen in my life,” he said.
He also said officials were working to confirm that eight people had been killed after a candle factory in Mayfield, a town with a population of around 10,000 in the southwestern corner of Kentucky, was hit in the storm.
