Governor touring storm damaged areas, updates response to severe weather

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Governor Andy Beshear is scheduled to get a first hand look at damage left by Tuesday’s severe weather that swept through the Commonwealth.

Beshear is expected to be in Jessamine County, touring damage at the Industrial Park there, where the National Weather Service says an EF-1 tornado touched down, causing extensive damage.

The governor earlier toured parts of Jefferson County, also hit by an EF-1 tornado.

Earlier Wednesday, Beshear and other leaders gave an update on the ongoing response to the damage.

“I am always inspired by Kentuckians’ kindness and compassion toward one another. 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 hug to tell them it’s going to be OK. Thank you to everyone who’s out there doing anything to make a positive difference at this time,” Gov. Beshear said. “And a big thanks goes out to our first responders, who were there even in the midst of the storms, and certainly after, helping to ensure our people are safe, and often leaving their own families to help our families in their time of need.”

Also included in a release by the governor’s office:

• One weather-related fatality has been reported in Campbell County following a two-vehicle accident.
• The National Weather Service has confirmed EF-1 tornadoes in Anderson, Bourbon, Nelson, Jessamine counties and in Prospect across Jefferson and Oldham counties. Possible tornadoes are being evaluated in Boyd, Harlan, Shelby and Simpson counties.
• Straight-line wind damage has been confirmed in Fayette, Mercer, Spencer and Woodford counties.
• Damage has been reported in more than 20 counties.
• Written disaster declarations have been received from Boyd, Clark, Fayette and Greenup counties and the cities of Ashland, Catlettsburg, Flatwoods, Greenup, Mt. Vernon and Raceland.
• Verbal disaster declarations have been received from Anderson, Bourbon, Elliott, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Kenton and Union counties and the city of Louisville.
• Current power outages: 15,132.
• Most cellular phone service has been restored in Greenup, Carter and Boyd counties.
• The city of Catlettsburg has wastewater operating under emergency generator power. In Henry County, the main booster that feeds Eminence and New Castle that had lost power has been restored with no loss of water to customers.
• Emergency managers and other emergency personnel, including KSP and KYTC, are responding.