State of emergency declared in several western Kentucky counties due to storms

In a press conference on Monday, Gov. Beshear named fourteen Kentucky counties to be in a state of emergency after two waves of severe storms pounded the state on Sunday.

Western Kentucky counties on the list include Caldwell, Hopkins, Lyon, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg. Individual cities that also received the declaration are Cadiz, Dawson Springs, and Russellville.

The other counties included on the list are Bullitt, Clay, Cllinton, Knox, McLean, and Simpson.

The designation helps to clear the way for emergency funds from Frankfort to be expedited to areas where it's needed most. It also draws extra assistance from the National Guard if needed as they team up with the U.S. Forest Service.