Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency in Kentucky ahead of severe weather. The western part of the state is expected to experience a high probability of “long-track, violent” tornadoes, while the Tri-State may see isolated tornadoes and high winds. Gov. Beshear has urged residents in Western Kentucky to seek shelter by 5 p.m. Central Time and to practice going to their safe shelter beforehand. He advised that storm shelters or basements are the best options, while an interior hallway away from windows is the second best. He also warned against staying in mobile homes and suggested finding shelter in a nearby permanent structure or underground shelter.
State office buildings in the central time zone have been closed from 3 p.m. Friday. The governor has asked all Kentuckians to avoid calling 911 for traffic or weather updates and to call Kentucky State Police at 800-222-5555 if they think someone is stranded on the road. The governor emphasized that the forecast is the worst he has seen, and he declared a state of emergency to ensure that everyone is prepared for the severe weather.
Kentucky is not new to severe weather, with the western part of the state being hit by an EF-4 tornado in December 2021 that caused extensive damage and claimed over 70 lives. Governor Beshear urged residents to take the situation seriously and prepare themselves accordingly. Meanwhile, residents in the Tri-State are expected to experience severe weather starting at around 10 p.m. Friday, with wind gusts as high as 75 miles per hour.
Overall, the governor’s message is clear: residents in affected areas should seek shelter immediately and take every precaution to stay safe during the severe weather.