Governor Andy Beshear Declares State of Emergency in Kentucky as Storm System Causes Significant Damage and 10 Deaths

Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky declared a state of emergency on Friday evening as a large storm system moved through the South and Midwest, leaving thousands without power and causing at least 10 deaths.

The storm system, which threatened heavy snow and coastal flooding in the Northeast, caused significant damage to homes and buildings in the South and Midwest. In Mississippi, a woman died inside her SUV after a rotted tree branch struck her vehicle, and in Arkansas a man drowned after he drove into high floodwaters.

Four weather-related deaths were reported in Kentucky in four different counties as storms with straight-line winds moved through the state. Three people were killed by falling trees in Alabama as severe weather swept through the state.

Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville, Kentucky, urged residents to stay off the roads and to be aware of the potential for flooding. He also asked residents to check on their neighbors and to be prepared for power outages.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Northeast, with up to a foot of snow expected in some areas. The storm system is expected to move out of the region by Saturday evening.