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Dec 11, 2021 - Energy & Environment

In photos: Deadly tornadoes leave damage across Kentucky, multiple states

Erin Doherty
Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.

Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on Dec. 11 in Mayfield, Ky. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

More than 50 people are feared dead after a tornado ripped through western Kentucky overnight and left damage across multiple states.

Driving the news: Dozens are expected to have died in Mayfield, Kentucky, per WLKY. At least 110 people were in a candle manufacturing factory there when the tornado struck.

  • "This is going to be some of the worst tornado damage that we've seen in a long time," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said early Saturday. "This is likely to be the most severe tornado outbreak in our state's history."

The big picture: The Kentucky tornado is likely to rank as the deadliest single tornado since the Joplin, Missouri, tornado in 2011, which killed 158 people.

In photos:
Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on Dec. 11 in Mayfield, Ky. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Heavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Heavy damage is seen downtown after the tornado in Mayfield, Ky. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
General view of tornado damage of the downtown area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.
General view of tornado damage in downtown Mayfield, Ky., on Dec. 11. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
eavy damage is seen downtown after a tornado swept through the area on December 11, 2021 in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Heavy damage is seen in downtown Mayfield, Ky., after a tornado swept through the area. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Go deeper: Historic tornado outbreak leaves at least 50 dead in Kentucky, governor says.

Go deeper