Thousands still without heat and water following US tornadoes

Tornado damage after extreme weather hit Mayfield, Kentucky. Pic/AFP

Residents of Kentucky counties where tornadoes killed dozens of people could be without heat, water or electricity in frigid temperatures for weeks or longer, state officials warned Monday, as the toll of damage and deaths came into clearer focus in five states slammed by the twisters. Kentucky authorities said the sheer level of destruction was hindering their ability to tally the devastation from Friday night's storms.

Martha Thomas stands outside her destroyed home in Kentucky. Pic/AP

At least 64 people were killed in the state alone, though officials believe the death toll will be lower than initially feared because many more people escaped a candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky, than first thought. As searches continued for those still missing, efforts also turned to repairing the power grid, sheltering those whose homes were destroyed and delivering drinking water and other supplies. "We're not going to let any of our families go homeless," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in announcing that lodges in state parks were being used to provide shelter.

In Mayfield, one of the hardest-hit towns, those who survived faced a high in the 50s and a low below freezing Monday without any utilities. More than 10,000 homes and businesses have no water, and another 17,000 are under boil-water advisories, Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett told reporters.

Biden to visit

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday will visit Kentucky. Biden has declared a state of emergency in Illinois and Tennessee after the severe tornadoes and storms swept through them and ordered federal assistance to the local population. The disaster hit several states, including Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

64
No. of people thought to be killed in Kentucky