Severe weather wreaked havoc in Kentucky, resulting in the tragic death of an individual, as Governor Andy Beshear announced in a press conference on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as a young man, lost his life in a car accident in Campbell County during the initial onslaught of strong storms.
The storms caused significant damage across various regions of the state, with Central Kentucky, the greater Louisville area, and parts of Eastern Kentucky bearing the brunt.
As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 13,000 residents remained without power.
The National Weather Service confirmed that at least six tornadoes touched down during the storm. Governor Beshear revealed plans to visit affected areas, including Jefferson and Oldham counties, as well as Central Kentucky.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman will travel to Boyd County, which also suffered substantial damage.
Governor Beshear also addressed a recently-enacted legislation that imposes a cap on the administration's spending for disaster response without legislative approval.
He expressed hope for amending this limitation to ensure adequate resources for assisting affected communities.
In the current budget, the Kentucky National Guard is restricted to spending up to $25 million during a governor-declared emergency, a restriction Governor Beshear intends to veto.
He emphasized the need for unrestricted resources, citing the state's substantial rainy day fund and the ongoing challenges faced by Kentuckians in times of crisis.