Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear struggled to hold back his emotions on Monday as he updated the media regarding recovery efforts in his state following devastating tornadoes over the weekend.
“Like the folks in Western Kentucky, I’m not doing so well today,” Beshear said. “And I’m not sure how many of us are.”
WATCH: Governor @AndyBeshearKY gets emotional while trying to provide residents with an update about the state’s recovery efforts following tornadoes over the weekend.
RELATED: Biden approves disaster declaration after Kentucky tornadoes https://t.co/GYzaG5hLk9 pic.twitter.com/ilyWFsCyxD
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 13, 2021
Beshear also shared an emotional story regarding his notes for the media update.
“I was working on getting the confirmed deaths this morning and realized I was writing on the back of notes that one of my kids took from school. And here’s what it is. It’s notes on inertia. It means that an object that’s in motion will stay in motion. So we’re going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and push through this,” he said.
The governor also encouraged residents to get the help they need, promising “we’re going to be with you.”
“Everybody get the help you need, take care of yourself, and we’ll continue to provide updates. To the people of Western Kentucky, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going to be with you today, we’re going to be with you tomorrow, and we’re going to be there with you to rebuild,” Beshear said.
Beshear focused on the unity of Kentucky’s people, encouraging them that others are “standing with you.”
“This is one state. People that love one another. I think everyone in Kentucky, but also everybody in the country, is standing with you,” he said.
Beshear said there were “64 confirmed deaths across the state as of Monday morning, following the string of deadly tornadoes that hit Kentucky and several other states over the weekend,” according to The Washington Post.
At least 105 people remained unaccounted for as of Monday morning, the report also noted.
“Six are younger than 18,” he said during the media update. Of the 64 confirmed deaths, 18 were unidentified.
On Saturday, Beshear posted that a state of emergency had been declared following widespread tornado damage.
We are praying for our Western Kentucky families. 2/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) December 11, 2021
The Daily Wire previously reported on Sunday:
On Sunday, following the devastating tornadoes that hit multiple states late last week, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” with host Jake Tapper to discuss the damage, and ongoing rescue efforts.
Tapper initially asked about the mounting death toll, which Beshear said currently stands at “over 80,” but could climb to “more than 100.”
“This is the deadliest tornado event we have ever had. I think it’s going to be the longest and deadliest tornado event in U.S. history,” Beshear said, adding that one tornado covered more than 227 miles, 200 of which were in the state of Kentucky. “I have got towns that are gone, that are just, I mean, gone.”