Kentucky Governor Declares State Emergency After Deadly Tornadoes in US Southern Plains and Ozarks

Published: 27 May 2024 at 07:14

Politics

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state emergency after tornado-spawning thunderstorms killed at least 14 people in the US Southern Plains and Ozarks. A powerful tornado in north Texas near the Oklahoma border claimed seven lives and injured nearly 100. More severe weather warnings were issued as storms moved through the heartland, causing additional casualties. The Weather Service alerted of more storms in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, bringing damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flood risks. Iowa and Texas also recently experienced deadly tornadoes.

DEEP DIVE

Severe Storms and Suspected Tornadoes Cause Multiple Fatalities and Injuries in Texas and Arkansas

Deadly storms, suspected tornadoes, and severe weather have led to at least six fatalities, including children, in Cooke County, Texas, and Benton County, Arkansas. Over 110 million people in the US are under threat of severe weather, with large hail, damaging winds, and violent tornadoes expected in the mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee River valleys. Multiple injuries were reported, with many vehicles damaged, people stranded, and homes destroyed. Rescue efforts are ongoing with emergency services responding to various locations affected by the storms.

Tornado Hits Central Texas and Heat Wave Alerts Issued

A tornado caused widespread damage in central Texas, particularly in Temple and Bell County, with buildings destroyed and power lines down. Severe storms and flood warnings were issued for northern Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond, with millions under threat. Over 110,000 energy customers were without power. A record-breaking heatwave is predicted for Texas, with temperatures over 115 degrees expected. In a chaotic weather week, Iowa saw tornado-related fatalities. Heat warnings and safety precautions were issued for Southern Texas residents.

Memorial Day Weekend Severe Weather Threat Across Midwest and East Coast

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes have caused at least 10 fatalities in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The threat continues across the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio valleys with damaging winds, large hail, and the potential for more tornadoes. Areas in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky are under Tornado Watch. Significant risk areas with millions of people include St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Louisville. The iconic Indy 500 race was affected, with the need to evacuate due to lightning. Millions in Illinois, Tennessee, and North Carolina are at Level 2 risk. Showers and storms expected to spread through the eastern US on Monday.

Severe Weather Threatens Central and Southern Plains with Violent Tornadoes and Extreme Hail

Multiple rounds of severe weather, including damaging tornadoes, are forecasted to hit the central and southern Plains, with NOAA's Storm Prediction Center warning of possible "violent" tornadoes, extreme hail, and widespread wind damage. A Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk scale has been issued for parts of Oklahoma and southern Kansas. The severe weather pattern is expected to shift east into the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys. Over 12 million communities are at Level 3 risk, including St. Louis, Springfield, and Louisville, while 27 million are at Level 2 risk, including Chicago and Nashville.

Severe Storms to Sweep Across Eastern U.S. on Memorial Day Weekend

Severe storms are predicted to affect the eastern half of the U.S. from Saturday to Monday, with a high threat of severe storms for 18 million people from Texas to Iowa. The strongest storms are expected to hit Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, including major cities like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Joplin, Wichita, Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, St Louis, and Cincinnati. The storms may produce intense tornadoes, giant hail, and destructive wind gusts, with a risk of flash flooding across the mid-Mississippi Valley. Additionally, extreme heat is forecasted for the South over the Memorial Day weekend.

Severe storms hit central US on Memorial Day, leading to deaths and power outages

Severe weather warnings affected 68 million people on Memorial Day in the central United States, with at least 19 people dead and half a million homes and businesses without power. Storms moved towards the Northeast, with heavy rain, winds exceeding 60mph, large hail, and possible tornadoes expected. Flash flooding alerts covered 9 million people, mainly in Tennessee, Kentucky, and southern Indiana. In Colorado, a lightning strike killed a rancher and 34 cattle. Over 500,000 customers were without power, with Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia among the worst-hit states.

Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma and Iowa, Causing Damage and Fatalities

A tornado was on the ground for nearly an hour in southwestern Oklahoma with reports of damaged homes but no injuries. In Iowa, three tornadoes caused devastation, including an EF-4 tornado in Greenfield that resulted in four fatalities. Greenfield resident Kimberly Ergish described the terrifying 10-second ordeal, leaving her family with minor injuries. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and FEMA officials are discussing emergency declarations and recovery plans. Residents like Joan Mitchell and Edith Schaecher are dealing with damaged homes in Greenfield, Iowa.

Multiple Storms Cause Damage in Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin

A series of storms caused a tornado in southwestern Oklahoma, damaging some homes but resulting in no injuries. In Wisconsin, a Catholic church in downtown Madison caught fire after storm-related thunder. Iowa and Illinois also experienced tornadoes that downed power lines and trees, following a deadly twister in one small town. Additionally, the heat in Downtown Houston was notable on a Saturday afternoon.

Tanker Truck Drives into Tornado in Central Iowa

Highway cameras in central Iowa captured a terrifying moment as a tanker truck drove into a tornado near Nevada, Iowa, followed by another semi-truck being pushed over by the tornado. Both drivers escaped without injuries, with the tanker truck surviving but blown into trees along the road. The tornado outbreak in Iowa on Tuesday led to severe destruction, including several deaths and significant damage to the town of Greenfield.

Wind farm in Iowa hit by tornado, leading to rare incidents of turbine damage

A wind farm in southwest Iowa was struck by a powerful tornado, resulting in the destruction of five wind turbines, including one that caught fire. While such occurrences are rare, the turbines are designed to withstand high wind speeds but not a direct hit from a powerful tornado. States in the 'wind belt' such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois are home to many wind turbines, with some being vulnerable to tornadoes. Experts suggest that industry standards may be reevaluated following this event.

Steve Beshear (Wikipedia)

Steven Lynn Beshear (born September 21, 1944) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 61st governor of Kentucky from 2007 to 2015. He served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1980, was the state's 44th attorney general from 1980 to 1983 and was the 49th lieutenant governor from 1983 to 1987.After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1968, Beshear briefly practiced law in New York before returning to Kentucky and being elected to the state legislature, where he gained a reputation as a consumer advocate. He parlayed that reputation into a term as attorney general, serving under Governor John Y. Brown Jr. As attorney general, Beshear issued an opinion that copies of the Ten Commandments must be removed from the walls of the state's classrooms in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Stone v. Graham. He also clashed with first lady Phyllis George Brown when he opposed the practice of charging an admission fee for visitors to view the renovated governor's mansion. In 1983, Beshear was elected lieutenant governor in the administration of Governor Martha Layne Collins. His most significant action in this capacity was the formation of the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission, a panel charged with making recommendations for the future of the state.Beshear's initial rise to political prominence was interrupted in 1987 when he finished third in a five-candidate Democratic gubernatorial primary election. The Beshear campaign's sparring with that of former Governor Brown, the second-place finisher in the primary, opened the door for political novice Wallace Wilkinson's well-financed campaign to achieve a come-from-behind upset in the race. For the next 20 years, Beshear practiced law at a Lexington law firm. His only foray into politics during this period was an unsuccessful challenge to Senator Mitch McConnell in 1996. In 2007, Beshear was drawn back into politics by the vulnerability of incumbent Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher, whose administration was under extended investigation by then-Attorney General Greg Stumbo, over violations of the state's merit system. In the 2007 gubernatorial election, Beshear emerged from a six-candidate Democratic primary—largely on the strength of his pledge to expand casino gambling as a means of further funding social programs like education—and defeated Fletcher in the general election. Beshear was reelected in 2011, defeating Republican David L. Williams and Gatewood Galbraith, an Independent. He was ineligible for reelection in 2015 due to term limits imposed by the Kentucky Constitution, and was succeeded by Republican Matt Bevin. Bevin lost reelection in 2019 to Beshear's son Andy.

Kentucky Governor Predicts Increase in Business Investments After Economic Trip to Germany and Switzerland

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's recent economic development trip to Germany and Switzerland is expected to attract more business investments to the state, with positive responses from companies met during the visit. Beshear's administration has announced over 1,000 projects totaling $30.6 billion and creating 52,700 jobs. The governor plans to arrange similar trips to Japan and South Korea to further bolster economic ties. Germany, one of the largest European investors in Kentucky, has over 90 companies operating in the state. Beshear emphasizes the importance of American manufacturing for national security amid global uncertainties.

Oklahoma City (Wikipedia)

Oklahoma City ( ), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, and is the 8th largest city in the Southern United States. The population grew following the 2010 census and reached 681,054 in the 2020 census. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area had a population of 1,396,445, and the Oklahoma City–Shawnee Combined Statistical Area had a population of 1,469,124, making it Oklahoma's largest municipality and metropolitan area by population.Oklahoma City's city limits extend somewhat into Canadian, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie counties, though much of those areas outside the core Oklahoma County area are suburban tracts or protected rural zones (watershed). The city is the eighth-largest in the United States by area including consolidated city-counties; it is the second-largest, after Houston, not including consolidated cities. The city is also the second-largest by area among state capital cities in the United States, after Juneau, Alaska. Along with Topeka, Kansas and Cheyenne, Wyoming, Oklahoma City is one of three state capitals with an indigenous name in a state with an indigenous name.Oklahoma City has one of the world's largest livestock markets. Oil, natural gas, petroleum products, and related industries are its economy's largest sector. The city is in the middle of an active oil field, and oil derricks dot the capitol grounds. The federal government employs a large number of workers at Tinker Air Force Base and the United States Department of Transportation's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (which house offices of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Department's Enterprise Service Center, respectively).Oklahoma City is on the I-35 and I-40 corridors, one of the primary travel corridors south into neighboring Texas and New Mexico, north towards Wichita and Kansas City, west to Albuquerque, and east towards Little Rock and Memphis. Located in the state's Frontier Country region, the city's northeast section lies in an ecological region known as the Cross Timbers. The city was founded during the Land Run of 1889 and grew to a population of over 10,000 within hours of its founding. It was the site of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, in which 168 people died, the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history until the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.Since weather records have been kept beginning in 1890, Oklahoma City has been struck by 14 violent tornadoes, 11 of which were rated F4 or EF4 on the Fujita and Enhanced Fujita scales, and one each rated F5 and EF5.

Oklahoma (Wikipedia)

Oklahoma ( OHK-lə-HOH-mə; Choctaw: Oklahumma, pronounced [oklahómma]; Cherokee: ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, Okalahoma, pronounced [ògàlàhǒːmã́]) is a landlocked state in the South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northeast, Arkansas to the east, New Mexico to the west, and Colorado to the northwest. Partially in the western extreme of the Upland South, it is the 20th-most extensive and the 28th-most populous of the 50 United States. Its residents are known as Oklahomans and its capital and largest city is Oklahoma City.The state's name is derived from the Choctaw words okla, 'people' and humma, which translates as 'red'. Oklahoma is also known informally by its nickname, "The Sooner State", in reference to the Sooners, settlers who staked their claims in formerly American Indian-owned lands until the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889 authorized the Land Rush of 1889 opening the land to white settlement.With ancient mountain ranges, prairie, mesas, and eastern forests, most of Oklahoma lies in the Great Plains, Cross Timbers, and the U.S. Interior Highlands, all regions prone to severe weather. Oklahoma is at a confluence of three major American cultural regions. Historically, it served as a government-sanctioned territory for American Indians moved from east of the Mississippi River, a route for cattle drives from Texas and related regions, and a destination for Southern settlers. There are currently 26 Native American languages spoken in Oklahoma. According to the 2020 U.S. census, 14.2 percent of Oklahomans identify as American Indians, the highest indigenous population by percentage in any state.A major producer of natural gas, oil, and agricultural products, Oklahoma relies on an economic base of aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology. Oklahoma City and Tulsa serve as Oklahoma's primary economic anchors, with nearly two-thirds of Oklahomans living within their metropolitan statistical areas.