Tornadoes Impact Lives and Livelihoods In 6 US States

Following confirmation of several deaths and destruction of properties including dwellings by tornadoes across six states, US President Joe Biden has declared a major federal disaster in Kentucky to provide additional federal assistance to restore normalcy. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has formally requested for declaration after the twisters have destroyed a candle factory, a police station and a fire station in Mayfield home to about 10,000 people. Representatives of the factory however say far fewer people may have died than previously feared. Biden received the request and approved it on Sunday evening, an official was quoted saying by Reuters. The governor said “the tornadoes were the most destructive in the state’s history and that even the sturdiest structures of steel and brick were flattened. One twister tore across 227 miles (365 km) of terrain, almost all of that in Kentucky”. AL JAZEERA reported about 70 people at the factory were earlier feared dead. Among the 110 people who were at the factory, eight have been confirmed dead and eight others remained missing, said Bob Ferguson, a spokesperson for Mayfield Consumer Products. In Kentucky alone, 22 were confirmed dead by late Saturday, including 11 in and around Bowling Green. But Beshear said  70 people may have been killed when a twister touched down for more than 320 kilometres per hour. The death toll may go beyond 100 across 10 or more counties. The death toll of 36 across five states includes six people in Illinois where an Amazon facility was hit; four in Tennessee; two in Arkansas, where a nursing home was destroyed; and two in Missouri. Photo courtesy: AP