Power stays out after devastating tornadoes

Storms on Friday night killed at least 74 people in Kentucky alone, with door-to-door searches for missing individuals still ongoing. Many in the town of Mayfield, which received the brunt of the damage, remained without power, running water, and other utilities on Monday as temperatures were expected to drop below freezing at night. Kentucky officials said electricity, heat, and water could remain down for weeks after a line of tornadoes struck five states. Officials have listed at least 14 other deaths across Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee. Kentucky was the hardest hit, tallying four tornadoes, one of which had a path of 200 miles.

How are officials responding? In Kentucky, authorities said they are struggling to quantify the damage as they begin work to repair the power grid and find shelter for people who lost their homes. Gov. Andy Beshear said state parks were making lodges available for shelter.

Dig deeper: Read Stephanie Morton’s report about Louisiana residents rebuilding after hurricanes.