WASHINGTON -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Kentucky today where they were briefed by local and commonwealth officials and held a media briefing with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
The tour allowed Criswell and Mayorkas to see the tornado destruction firsthand and meet with first responders and emergency management officials conducting operations throughout the state. They toured areas of Graves and Marshall counties, also seeing the destroyed Mayfield Consumer Products factory.
“To all of the people of Kentucky, my heart goes out to each and every one of you who have experienced the tragic events from these tornadoes,” said Administrator Criswell. “I want you to know that the nation, your country, is praying with you. We've been seeing the pictures of this, but standing there in these communities, you don't get that feeling from a picture. When you stand in one direction and look and see all of the devastation and then just turn to your right and all of the devastation around you, you can't understand how this has impacted these communities until you're there,” she continued. “That’s why it's so important to be here to see it for myself, so we can make sure that we're providing the right level of assistance to help with your response and your ongoing recovery.”
Criswell added that FEMA still will be working with the commonwealth on all their long-term recovery needs as these communities start to rebuild.
For additional photos from today’s tour visit FEMA’s DVIDS page.
BENTON, Ky. -- Kentucky Emergency Management Director Mike Dossett (center) briefs DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (left) and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (right) as they begin touring damage throughout the area.
BENTON, Ky. -- Local Marshall County incident commander briefs DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas (center) and Administrator Criswell, showing a satellite image of the tornado’s path.
MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Louisville Emergency Management Director E.J. Meiman and Administrator Criswell discuss response operations near the Mayfield Consumer Products factory that was destroyed by a tornado late Friday.