KENTUCKY, USA — One person is dead after as many as seven tornadoes touched down in Kentucky Tuesday night.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced in a news conference Wednesday that a man in Campbell County was killed in a car accident Tuesday at the start of the storm that would produce several tornadoes across The Commonwealth.
"This is a tragic occurrence and we'll be praying for him and his family," Beshear said.
Outside of the single weather-related fatality, Beshear said very few injuries were reported, and the majority reported were minor injuries.
Beshear said as many as seven confirmed tornadoes touched down in Kentucky during two rounds of Tuesday severe storms. Anderson County experienced an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds. The Chaplin community in Nelson County was hit by an EF-1 with 95 mph winds.
"This storm and the tornadoes involved had statewide impacts, hitting numerous areas across the state," Beshear said.
Jessamine County had an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 110 mph, an EF-1 in Bourbon County was confirmed, and Beshear said NWS officials believe an EF-1 tornado touched down in Prospect.
Though only the counties above had confirmed tornadoes, Beshear stressed that the National Weather Service is surveying several other counties and more tornadoes may be confirmed throughout the day.
Beshear confirmed straight-line wind damage in Fayette, Mercer and Woodford counties. Straight-line winds can cause just as much damage as a tornado in many cases.
There are still about 15,000 people across Kentucky without power, down from approximately 32,000 at the peak.
During Wednesday's press conference, Beshear mentioned certain limitations the legislature is trying to pass that would slow down or even stop Kentucky from helping communities during a natural disaster.
"We would not have been able to respond in the way we have if the limitations in the current pending budget had been in the last budget," Beshear said.
According to the Governor, the legislature is trying to limit the amount of resources Kentucky can spend to respond to natural disasters before they are called into session. This would have halted much of the rescue and safety efforts made Tuesday night until the legislature could get together for a session.
Beshear insisted that there often isn't enough time for that when it comes to emergencies. "We have to respond to an emergency in an emergent manor," Beshear said.
Beshear said he hopes the budget can be changed so that Kentucky always has the resources necessary to help its neighbors when they've been knocked out.
"I am always inspired by Kentuckian's kindness and compassion to one another," Beshear said. "This challenge is no different, we see our neighbors helping their neighbors and communities coming together to provide those in need with shelter, a warm meal and often a big hug and those comments that say it's going to be all right."
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