Bessier has declared a state of emergency in his state and called on Washington for help. President Joe Biden tweeted that the hurricane had caused “unimaginable tragedy” in the area. He promised to provide all necessary central assistance and expressed condolences to the governors of the affected states.

Dozens of hurricanes left the center of the United States hundreds of miles away from the path of destruction. Mayfield, a city of 10,000 people in Kentucky, has been particularly hard hit. Many buildings were completely demolished and the streets were littered with rubble. In an interview with CNN, Mayor Kathy O’Neill described the center as a “pile of” matches. “The disaster is bigger than anything I’ve ever seen,” Governor Bessier said in Mayfield.

The text continues below for tweets and photos

A boat was swept away from a showroom by a hurricane in Mayfield, Kentucky.

⁇ ANP / AFP

Situation of Bowling Green Kentucky.

⁇ ANP / AFP

Aerial view of the situation in Mayfield, Kentucky.

⁇ EPA

In the Amazon warehouse.

⁇ ANP / AFP

A woman passes by the rest of the candle factory.

⁇ John Amis / AFP

Candle factory

Dozens of people were killed when a candle factory collapsed in Mayfield, local media reported. Of the 110 employees, 70 have yet to be found. According to Pesher, it would be a “miracle” if anyone was found alive there. News of some deaths is coming from other states. Three known deaths in Tennessee, two in Arkansas and one in Missouri.

At least six employees have been killed in an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois. Many were buried beneath the rubble as the roof of the building was torn apart by the hurricane and part of the building collapsed. It is unknown how many more people are trapped in the warehouse. The lives of tens of thousands of people here are in danger.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassi said on Twitter that he was deeply saddened by the death of his staff. “Our thoughts are with their families during this difficult time.” Founder Jeff Bezos also took to Twitter to offer his condolences. The world’s second-richest man says Amazon will act in support of the community. Bezos also expressed his gratitude for the emergency services on site.

In the states of Tennessee and Kentucky alone, at least 200,000 households are without electricity.