A likely tornado killed at least nine people in southeastern Kentucky on Friday as severe weather swept through the Ohio Valley. The possible twister came one day after four people were killed in severe weather in Missouri.
According to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, a tornado touched down just before midnight Friday in London, Kentucky. Authorities soon deemed it a “mass casualty event.” The search for survivors continues, and multiple severe injuries have also been reported. Officials have opened several shelters in the area.
Earlier on Friday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency as storms began moving across the state.
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“Kentucky, we are waking up to the news of multiple fatalities from last nights storms. Please pray for those impacted. We will update as soon as we have more information,” he said.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center reported 28 unconfirmed tornadoes on Friday, with twisters noted in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and New Jersey. There were also hundreds of reports of severe winds and hail.
The Midwest and Ohio Valley should get a reprieve from severe weather this weekend. However, strong storms are expected in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas on Saturday.