Kentucky's governor reflected on the "unspeakable trauma" in his state, as he confirmed that weekend tornadoes have killed at least 64 residents. The victims ranged in age from as young as five months to 86 years old and come from at least eight different counties, with 18 people still unidentified.
Governor Andy Beshear said that at least 105 people remain missing and more deaths may be confirmed soon.
Search and rescue efforts have been continuing across Western Kentucky. Emergency workers, including 300 members of the National Guard, have been scouring debris for survivors and distributing water and generators to residents.
Mr Beshear said: “Dogs were also being used to help search through rubble, and we're still finding bodies in some locations.”
The governor was visibly emotional during a press conference when he added: "I'm not doing so well today and I'm not sure how many of us are.
“The people of Western Kentucky have gone through an unspeakable trauma. The devastation is unlike anything I have seen in my life."
A resident in the town of Mayfield, one of the areas worst-hit, said that he had dropped down to his knees and covered his head when the tornado hit. Elsewhere in the town, eight deaths were confirmed at a candle factory, where 110 employees were feared to have been trapped inside at the time.
Eight other workers were reported missing. Thousands of people had their homes destroyed and nearly 30,000 homes are still without power.
The governor has opened up state parks for impacted families and pledged to provide $5,000 in burial expenses for each family that has lost a loved one. He has also ordered all state flags to be lowered for one week in honour of victims.
