After the devastating tornadoes in Kentucky, with dozens of deaths, US President Joe Biden visited the disaster area. In the particularly affected town of Mayfield, Biden saw numerous damaged or destroyed houses on Wednesday and spoke to residents on a tour. He had come to listen and make sure that the local authorities got all the help available from the federal government. Biden promised that the government would provide long-term aid.
The President was briefed on the spot by Governor Andy Beshear, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and the head of the US Civil Protection Agency Fema, Deanne Criswell, on the status of the salvage work and the extent of the destruction. Biden had previously flown over the disaster area to get an idea of the situation from the air. In the afternoon (local time) he wanted to visit Dawson Springs, which was also badly affected. Afterwards he wanted to give a speech there.
The tornadoes wreaked havoc on Saturday night. More than 70 people were killed in the state of Kentucky alone, and dozen were still missing on Wednesday. Governor Beshear called it “the worst tornado damage imaginable”.
Before his visit, Biden had emphasized that he did not travel to the region immediately after the disaster so as not to be in the way. “The devastation is overwhelming. I mean, there is nothing left,” he said. Houses or businesses were simply “wiped out”.
For the United States, it is the latest in a series of natural disasters. This year alone there have been numerous storms, floods and forest fires. Biden sees the accumulation and severity of the disasters as a consequence of climate change, which he has made combating one of his top priorities.