Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has declared a state of emergency after severe weather swept through the ‘Bluegrass State’ this week.

The storms started Monday and carried into Tuesday.

According to WBKO 13 News, the state of Kentucky experienced heavy rain, hail, lightning, intense winds, and possible tornadoes.

“We have reports of substantial damage to a number of structures – and thankfully, as of right now we are not aware of any fatalities,” Beshear said.

“We need all Kentuckians to stay weather aware as we brace for more severe weather throughout the afternoon and evening,” he added.

WBKO 13 News reports:

Due to pending weather conditions, the Governor closed all Executive Branch state office buildings Tuesday, April 2, beginning at noon. The Kentucky Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort has been activated, with essential partners providing support as needed.

The Governor also activated the state’s price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the storms. With the state of emergency in place, consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.

Emergency managers and other emergency personnel, including Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, have been deployed to affected areas to assist.

Beshear added, “We are thankful for all the first responders and transportation employees who are out there helping to clear roadways and keep Kentuckians safe.”

Read the full press release from Gov. Beshear:

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“Destructive storms surged through multiple states across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys on Tuesday, triggering numerous tornado watches affecting millions. High winds tore off home roofs, downed power lines and prompted a state of emergency in Kentucky,” CBS Evening News wrote.

WATCH:

“A preliminary EF-1 tornado has been confirmed in Nelson County,” WHAS 11 reports.

Per WHAS 11:

Power outages are likely as another round of strong storms are expected to hit the area Tuesday evening.

“We have reports of substantial damage to a number of structures – and thankfully, as of right now we are not aware of any fatalities,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement. “We need all Kentuckians to stay weather aware as we brace for more severe weather throughout the afternoon and evening.”

Gov. Beshear has also closed all Executive Branch state office buildings for the remainder of the day and the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort has also been activated.

The state’s price gouging laws have also been activated and you can report price gouging to attorney general Russell Coleman’s office.

Beshear is reminding the commonwealth not to try to access roads blocked by downed trees and power lines.

 

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