Biden visits Ky. to survey tornado damage
MAYFIELD, Ky. – President Joe Biden on Wednesday visited portions of western Kentucky hardest hit by the recent tornadoes, saying he was stunned by the “incredible” devastation he witnessed as he flew over the area.
“I have not seen this much damage from a tornado,” Biden said.
The president’s visit came five days after what will likely be the deadliest weather event in Kentucky’s history, as 75 residents were confirmed dead as of Wednesday afternoon. More than 100 in Kentucky are still missing.
Joined by Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer, whose Kentucky 1st
Congressional District encompasses much of the area damaged Friday evening and Saturday morning, Biden, a Democrat, landed in Air Force One at Fort Campbell just before 11 a.m. EST.
Once there, he met with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, first lady Britainy Beshear and former Gov. Steve Beshear, whose hometown of Dawson Springs was decimated by the tornado. Biden then boarded Marine One to survey the damage in Mayfield, the Kentucky town hit hardest by a tornado.
Later, in the Mayfield Graves County Airport, Biden visited with officials including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Federal Emergency Management Administrator Deanne Criswell and the local mayor, police and fire chiefs.
In the face of such tragedy, Biden said he was amazed “at the way you all came together” and that is “the way America is supposed to be.”
“There’s no red tornadoes, and there’s no blue tornadoes,” Biden said. “There’s no red states or blue states.”
“Don’t hesitate to ask for anything,” he also told local officials.
Beshear echoed that point, telling the local leaders “we’re here for anything you need,” with Mayorkas urging those in need to go to disasterassistance.gov or check in with FEMA personnel who are on the ground.
Rolling out of the airport around 1 p.m. EST, Biden geared up to visit what remained of downtown Mayfield following the storm. Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel blocked off state Route 58 by Byrd Road for the presidential motorcade.
When Biden arrived, the president talked with local residents, offering words of support and encouragement.
“We’re going to stay until this gets finished and totally reconstructed,” Biden said downtown, where a mural that says “Mayfield, More than a Memory” remains intact on a heavily damaged building. “A lot of people have gone through a God-awful mess. Right now, they’re just recovering from the shock of it all.”
Just before 2 p.m. EST, Biden hopped on Marine One to continue to his next stop: Princeton, which is about 60 miles northeast of Mayfield. He would later go to Dawson Springs.
Ahead of his visit to Kentucky, Biden spoke with Beshear several times over the weekend. The president also spoke with the governors of Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri – states also hit by tornadoes – and asked each what resources they needed, according to the White House.