you have had an outpouring of sopport — you have had an outpouring of sopport that _ you have had an outpouring of support that has _ you have had an outpouring of support that has come - you have had an outpouring of support that has come in, - you have had an outpouring of support that has come in, but| you have had an outpouring of| support that has come in, but i you have had an outpouring of - support that has come in, but i have still hot _ support that has come in, but i have still not want — support that has come in, but i have still not want you _ support that has come in, but i have still not want you to _ support that has come in, but i have still not want you to know— support that has come in, but i have still not want you to know that - support that has come in, but i have still not want you to know that youri still not want you to know that your country _ still not want you to know that your country is _ still not want you to know that your country is praying _ still not want you to know that your country is praying with _ still not want you to know that your country is praying with you. - still not want you to know that your country is praying with you. they. country is praying with you. they are praying — country is praying with you. they are praying with— country is praying with you. they are praying with you _ country is praying with you. they are praying with you today- country is praying with you. they are praying with you today for. country is praying with you. they. are praying with you today for your speedy _ are praying with you today for your speedy recovery— are praying with you today for your speedy recovery and _ are praying with you today for your speedy recovery and for— are praying with you today for your speedy recovery and for all- are praying with you today for your speedy recovery and for all the - speedy recovery and for all the tragedy— speedy recovery and for all the tragedy that— speedy recovery and for all the tragedy that you _ speedy recovery and for all the tragedy that you have - speedy recovery and for all the| tragedy that you have endured. speedy recovery and for all the - tragedy that you have endured. i'd also like _ tragedy that you have endured. i'd also like to— tragedy that you have endured. i'd also like to recognise _ tragedy that you have endured. i'd also like to recognise the - tragedy that you have endured. i'd also like to recognise the first - also like to recognise the first responders, _ also like to recognise the first responders, the _ also like to recognise the first responders, the heroic- also like to recognise the firsti responders, the heroic efforts also like to recognise the first - responders, the heroic efforts that they put— responders, the heroic efforts that they put forth _ responders, the heroic efforts that they put forth over— responders, the heroic efforts that they put forth over the _ responders, the heroic efforts that they put forth over the last - responders, the heroic efforts that they put forth over the last 40 - they put forth over the last 40 hours — they put forth over the last 40 hours since _ they put forth over the last 40 hours since the _ they put forth over the last 40 hours since the tornado - they put forth over the last 40 | hours since the tornado struck. going _ hours since the tornado struck. going out— hours since the tornado struck. going out there _ hours since the tornado struck. going out there not _ hours since the tornado struck. going out there not knowing i hours since the tornado struck. . going out there not knowing what their families _ going out there not knowing what their families were _ going out there not knowing what their families were going - going out there not knowing what their families were going through| going out there not knowing what . their families were going through or their families were going through or their homes— their families were going through or their homes and _ their families were going through or their homes and making _ their families were going through or their homes and making sure - their families were going through or their homes and making sure they. their families were going through or. their homes and making sure they are taking _ their homes and making sure they are taking care _ their homes and making sure they are taking care of— their homes and making sure they are taking care of their— their homes and making sure they are taking care of their communities. - taking care of their communities. 0ur taking care of their communities. our first— taking care of their communities. our first responders— taking care of their communities. our first responders across - taking care of their communities. our first responders across this l our first responders across this nation — our first responders across this nation are _ our first responders across this nation are always _ our first responders across this nation are always amazing - our first responders across this nation are always amazing to l our first responders across this. nation are always amazing to me our first responders across this - nation are always amazing to me at how they— nation are always amazing to me at how they are — nation are always amazing to me at how they are so— nation are always amazing to me at how they are so available _ nation are always amazing to me at how they are so available and put l how they are so available and put themselves— how they are so available and put themselves in— how they are so available and put themselves in harm's _ how they are so available and put themselves in harm's way - how they are so available and put themselves in harm's way to - how they are so available and put. themselves in harm's way to make sure others— themselves in harm's way to make sure others can _ themselves in harm's way to make sure others can be _ themselves in harm's way to make sure others can be safe. _ themselves in harm's way to make sure others can be safe. from - themselves in harm's way to make sure others can be safe. from the| sure others can be safe. from the bottom _ sure others can be safe. from the bottom of— sure others can be safe. from the bottom of my— sure others can be safe. from the bottom of my heart, _ sure others can be safe. from the bottom of my heart, thank - sure others can be safe. from the bottom of my heart, thank you i sure others can be safe. from the i bottom of my heart, thank you very much _ bottom of my heart, thank you very much and — bottom of my heart, thank you very much and then— bottom of my heart, thank you very much. and then the _ bottom of my heart, thank you very much. and then the neighbours, i bottom of my heart, thank you very| much. and then the neighbours, we heard _ much. and then the neighbours, we heard a _ much. and then the neighbours, we heard a incredible _ much. and then the neighbours, we heard a incredible stories— much. and then the neighbours, we heard a incredible stories of- heard a incredible stories of neighbours— heard a incredible stories of neighbours helping - heard a incredible stories of- neighbours helping neighbours, neighbours— neighbours helping neighbours, neighbours rescuing _ neighbours helping neighbours, neighbours rescuing people - neighbours helping neighbours, i neighbours rescuing people from rubble. _ neighbours rescuing people from rubble. and _ neighbours rescuing people from rubble, and you're _ neighbours rescuing people from rubble, and you're also- neighbours rescuing people from rubble, and you're also first - rubble, and you're also first responders _ rubble, and you're also first responders. thank- rubble, and you're also first responders. thank you - rubble, and you're also first responders. thank you so . rubble, and you're also first - responders. thank you so much for all the _ responders. thank you so much for all the effort — responders. thank you so much for all the effort you _ responders. thank you so much for all the effort you put _ responders. thank you so much for all the effort you put into _ responders. thank you so much for all the effort you put into make - all the effort you put into make sure _ all the effort you put into make sure your — all the effort you put into make sure your neighbours _ all the effort you put into make sure your neighbours are - all the effort you put into make sure your neighbours are safe. | all the effort you put into make i sure your neighbours are safe. we did have _ sure your neighbours are safe. we did have an— sure your neighbours are safe. we did have an opportunity— sure your neighbours are safe. we did have an opportunity today - sure your neighbours are safe. we did have an opportunity today to l sure your neighbours are safe. we l did have an opportunity today to be able to— did have an opportunity today to be able to visit — did have an opportunity today to be able to visit a — did have an opportunity today to be able to visit a couple _ did have an opportunity today to be able to visit a couple of— did have an opportunity today to be able to visit a couple of areas - did have an opportunity today to be able to visit a couple of areas that. able to visit a couple of areas that have _ able to visit a couple of areas that have been— able to visit a couple of areas that have been impacted. _ able to visit a couple of areas that have been impacted. we were - able to visit a couple of areas that - have been impacted. we were able to tour graves _ have been impacted. we were able to tour graves county— have been impacted. we were able to tour graves county and _ have been impacted. we were able to tour graves county and marshall- tour graves county and marshall county — tour graves county and marshall county as — tour graves county and marshall county. as you _ tour graves county and marshall county. as you heard _ tour graves county and marshall county. as you heard the - tour graves county and marshall. county. as you heard the governor say, me. _ county. as you heard the governor say. me. myself— county. as you heard the governor say, me, myself and _ county. as you heard the governor say, me, myself and the _ county. as you heard the governor say, me, myself and the rest- county. as you heard the governor say, me, myself and the rest of. county. as you heard the governorl say, me, myself and the rest of the nation _ say, me, myself and the rest of the nation have — say, me, myself and the rest of the nation have been— say, me, myself and the rest of the nation have been watching - say, me, myself and the rest of the nation have been watching this - say, me, myself and the rest of the nation have been watching this and| nation have been watching this and seeing _ nation have been watching this and seeing the — nation have been watching this and seeing the pictures— nation have been watching this and seeing the pictures of— nation have been watching this and seeing the pictures of this. - seeing the pictures of this. standing _ seeing the pictures of this. standing in _ seeing the pictures of this. standing in these - seeing the pictures of this. - standing in these communities, you don't _ standing in these communities, you don't get _ standing in these communities, you don't get that — standing in these communities, you don't get that feeling. _ standing in these communities, you don't get that feeling. when - standing in these communities, you don't get that feeling. when you - don't get that feeling. when you stand _ don't get that feeling. when you stand in— don't get that feeling. when you stand in one _ don't get that feeling. when you stand in one direction _ don't get that feeling. when you stand in one direction and - don't get that feeling. when you stand in one direction and look. don't get that feeling. when you i stand in one direction and look and see all— stand in one direction and look and see all of— stand in one direction and look and see all of the — stand in one direction and look and see all of the devastation - stand in one direction and look and see all of the devastation and - stand in one direction and look and see all of the devastation and turn| see all of the devastation and turn to your— see all of the devastation and turn to your right — see all of the devastation and turn to your right and _ see all of the devastation and turn to your right and all— see all of the devastation and turn to your right and all of— see all of the devastation and turn to your right and all of the - to your right and all of the devastation— to your right and all of the devastation around you, l to your right and all of the - devastation around you, you can't understand — devastation around you, you can't understand how _ devastation around you, you can't understand how this _ devastation around you, you can't understand how this is _ devastation around you, you can't understand how this is impacted i understand how this is impacted these _ understand how this is impacted these communities, _ understand how this is impacted these communities, which- understand how this is impacted these communities, which is- understand how this is impactedi these communities, which is why understand how this is impacted - these communities, which is why it's important _ these communities, which is why it's important to — these communities, which is why it's important to be _ these communities, which is why it's important to be here _ these communities, which is why it's important to be here to— these communities, which is why it's important to be here to make - important to be here to make sure we're _ important to be here to make sure we're providing _ important to be here to make sure we're providing the _ important to be here to make sure we're providing the right— important to be here to make sure we're providing the right level- we're providing the right level of assistance — we're providing the right level of assistance to _ we're providing the right level of assistance to help _ we're providing the right level of assistance to help the _ we're providing the right level of assistance to help the responsel we're providing the right level of. assistance to help the response and your ongoing — assistance to help the response and your ongoing recovery. _ assistance to help the response and your ongoing recovery. we - assistance to help the response and your ongoing recovery. we had - assistance to help the response and your ongoing recovery. we had thei your ongoing recovery. we had the opportunity— your ongoing recovery. we had the opportunityiust_ your ongoing recovery. we had the opportunityiust a _ your ongoing recovery. we had the opportunityjust a few _ your ongoing recovery. we had the opportunityjust a few moments i your ongoing recovery. we had the. opportunityjust a few moments ago to hear— opportunityjust a few moments ago to hear from — opportunityjust a few moments ago to hear from the _ opportunityjust a few moments ago to hear from the county— opportunityjust a few moments ago to hear from the county executives, i to hear from the county executives, and when _ to hear from the county executives, and when the — to hear from the county executives, and when the governor _ to hear from the county executives, and when the governor brought - to hear from the county executives, i and when the governor brought them together— and when the governor brought them together to _ and when the governor brought them together to hear— and when the governor brought them together to hear the _ and when the governor brought them together to hear the impacts- and when the governor brought them together to hear the impacts they - together to hear the impacts they are having — together to hear the impacts they are having the _ together to hear the impacts they are having. the things _ together to hear the impacts they are having. the things we - together to hear the impacts they are having. the things we are - together to hear the impacts they| are having. the things we are hurt our housing — are having. the things we are hurt our housing. housing _ are having. the things we are hurt our housing. housing is _ are having. the things we are hurt our housing. housing is going - are having. the things we are hurt our housing. housing is going to l are having. the things we are hurt. our housing. housing is going to be a tremendous — our housing. housing is going to be a tremendous means _ our housing. housing is going to be a tremendous means as _ our housing. housing is going to be a tremendous means as we - our housing. housing is going to bel a tremendous means as we continue our housing. housing is going to be - a tremendous means as we continue to id a tremendous means as we continue to go forward _ a tremendous means as we continue to go forward power, _ a tremendous means as we continue to go forward. power, water, _ a tremendous means as we continue to go forward. power, water, fuel — - go forward. power, water, fuel — all of these _ go forward. power, water, fuel — all of these things _ go forward. power, water, fuel — all of these things to _ go forward. power, water, fuel — all of these things to help _ go forward. power, water, fuel — all of these things to help the - of these things to help the communities— of these things to help the communities start - of these things to help the communities start the - of these things to help the - communities start the rebuilding process — communities start the rebuilding process. because _ communities start the rebuilding process. because housing - communities start the rebuilding process. because housing we - communities start the rebuilding . process. because housing we know will be _ process. because housing we know will be such — process. because housing we know will be such a — process. because housing we know will be such a tremendous - process. because housing we know will be such a tremendous need, . process. because housing we knowi will be such a tremendous need, we are sending — will be such a tremendous need, we are sending in— will be such a tremendous need, we are sending in one— will be such a tremendous need, we are sending in one of— will be such a tremendous need, we are sending in one of our— will be such a tremendous need, we are sending in one of our experts. are sending in one of our experts that will— are sending in one of our experts that will be — are sending in one of our experts that will be here _ are sending in one of our experts that will be here tomorrow - are sending in one of our experts that will be here tomorrow to - are sending in one of our experts. that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy— that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on _ that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on how— that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on how we _ that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on how we will- that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on how we will be - that will be here tomorrow to begin the strategy on how we will be ablei the strategy on how we will be able to help _ the strategy on how we will be able to help with — the strategy on how we will be able to help with the _ the strategy on how we will be able to help with the long—term - the strategy on how we will be able to help with the long—term housingi to help with the long—term housing needs— to help with the long—term housing needs and — to help with the long—term housing needs and the _ to help with the long—term housing needs and the recovery _ to help with the long—term housing needs and the recovery of - to help with the long—term housing needs and the recovery of these i needs and the recovery of these communities _ needs and the recovery of these communities. we _ needs and the recovery of these communities. we also - needs and the recovery of these communities. we also did - needs and the recovery of these i communities. we also did receive needs and the recovery of these . communities. we also did receive a request— communities. we also did receive a request from — communities. we also did receive a request from the _ communities. we also did receive a request from the governor- communities. we also did receive a request from the governorjust - request from the governorjust moments _ request from the governorjust moments ago _ request from the governorjust moments ago for— request from the governorjust moments ago for a _ request from the governorjust moments ago for a major - request from the governorjust i moments ago for a major disaster declaration — moments ago for a major disaster declaration. the _ moments ago for a major disaster declaration. the president- moments ago for a major disaster. declaration. the president approved a declaration— declaration. the president approved a declaration yesterday— declaration. the president approved a declaration yesterday which - a declaration yesterday which allowed — a declaration yesterday which allowed us _ a declaration yesterday which allowed us to _ a declaration yesterday which allowed us to really- a declaration yesterday which allowed us to really move - a declaration yesterday which - allowed us to really move resources and quickly — allowed us to really move resources and quickly to— allowed us to really move resources and quickly to start _ allowed us to really move resources and quickly to start with _ allowed us to really move resources and quickly to start with those - and quickly to start with those initial response _ and quickly to start with those initial response efforts. but. initial response efforts. but the major— initial response efforts. but the major disaster— initial response efforts. but the major disaster is— initial response efforts. but the major disaster is going - initial response efforts. but the major disaster is going to - initial response efforts. but the major disaster is going to be i initial response efforts. but the major disaster is going to be toj major disaster is going to be to help— major disaster is going to be to help individuals. _ major disaster is going to be to help individuals. you _ major disaster is going to be to help individuals. you can - major disaster is going to be to help individuals. you can go . major disaster is going to be to help individuals. you can go to| help individuals. you can go to disaster— help individuals. you can go to disaster assistance _ help individuals. you can go to disaster assistance .gov. - help individuals. you can go to disaster assistance .gov. it. help individuals. you can go toi disaster assistance .gov. it will help— disaster assistance .gov. it will help us— disaster assistance .gov. it will help us have _ disaster assistance .gov. it will help us have a _ disaster assistance .gov. it will help us have a long—term - disaster assistance .gov. it will| help us have a long—term repair disaster assistance .gov. it will. help us have a long—term repair of all of— help us have a long—term repair of all of the _ help us have a long—term repair of all of the critics _ help us have a long—term repair of all of the critics critical— help us have a long—term repair of all of the critics critical in - all of the critics critical in structure _ all of the critics critical in structure that's- all of the critics critical in structure that's been - all of the critics critical in . structure that's been done. all of the critics critical in - structure that's been done. go all of the critics critical in _ structure that's been done. go to... find out— structure that's been done. go to... find out more information. - structure that's been done. go to... find out more information. we - structure that's been done. go to... | find out more information. we know that communications— find out more information. we know that communications are _ find out more information. we know that communications are bad - find out more information. we know that communications are bad and - find out more information. we know| that communications are bad and you won't _ that communications are bad and you won't be _ that communications are bad and you won't be able — that communications are bad and you won't be able to— that communications are bad and you won't be able to access _ that communications are bad and you won't be able to access some - that communications are bad and you won't be able to access some of- that communications are bad and you won't be able to access some of the i won't be able to access some of the sites we _ won't be able to access some of the sites we sent— won't be able to access some of the sites we sent you _ won't be able to access some of the sites we sent you to. _ won't be able to access some of the sites we sent you to. we're - won't be able to access some of the sites we sent you to. we're going. won't be able to access some of the| sites we sent you to. we're going to send _ sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens — sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens into— sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens into the _ sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens into the feel. _ sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens into the feel. —— - sites we sent you to. we're going to send teens into the feel. —— teams. | send teens into the feel. —— teams. they— send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will— send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will have — send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will have ipads _ send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will have ipads with _ send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will have ipads with them - send teens into the feel. —— teams. they will have ipads with them and | they will have ipads with them and they can _ they will have ipads with them and they can help— they will have ipads with them and they can help you _ they will have ipads with them and they can help you register- they will have ipads with them and they can help you register for- they can help you register for assistance _ they can help you register for assistance. they— they can help you register for assistance. they should - they can help you register for assistance. they should be i they can help you register for| assistance. they should be on they can help you register for- assistance. they should be on the ground _ assistance. they should be on the ground starting _ assistance. they should be on the ground starting tomorrow- assistance. they should be on the ground starting tomorrow and - assistance. they should be on the . ground starting tomorrow and going to the _ ground starting tomorrow and going to the communities _ ground starting tomorrow and going to the communities that _ ground starting tomorrow and going to the communities that have - ground starting tomorrow and going to the communities that have beeni to the communities that have been the most _ to the communities that have been the most impacted. _ to the communities that have been the most impacted. just— to the communities that have been the most impacted. just a - to the communities that have been the most impacted. just a close, . the most impacted. just a close, fema is— the most impacted. just a close, fema isiust _ the most impacted. just a close, fema isjust one _ the most impacted. just a close, fema isjust one part _ the most impacted. just a close, fema isjust one part of- the most impacted. just a close, fema isjust one part of the - the most impacted. just a close, i fema isjust one part of the team. this disaster — fema isjust one part of the team. this disaster declaration _ fema isjust one part of the team. this disaster declaration is - fema isjust one part of the team. this disaster declaration is going l this disaster declaration is going to allow— this disaster declaration is going to allow us— this disaster declaration is going to allow us to _ this disaster declaration is going to allow us to bring _ this disaster declaration is going to allow us to bring the - this disaster declaration is going to allow us to bring the entire i to allow us to bring the entire federal family— to allow us to bring the entire federal family together- to allow us to bring the entire federal family together to- to allow us to bring the entire - federal family together to provide the much—needed _ federal family together to provide the much—needed support - federal family together to provide the much—needed support for- federal family together to provide - the much—needed support for tomorrow and the _ the much—needed support for tomorrow and the duration— the much—needed support for tomorrow and the duration of— the much—needed support for tomorrow and the duration of the _ the much—needed support for tomorrow and the duration of the recovery. - the much—needed support for tomorrow and the duration of the recovery. to - and the duration of the recovery. to make _ and the duration of the recovery. to make sure _ and the duration of the recovery. to make sure we're _ and the duration of the recovery. to make sure we're giving _ and the duration of the recovery. to make sure we're giving you - make sure we're giving you everything _ make sure we're giving you everything you _ make sure we're giving you everything you need - make sure we're giving you everything you need to - make sure we're giving you| everything you need to help make sure we're giving you - everything you need to help with this long — everything you need to help with this long recovery. _ this is the fastest emergency declaration i've ever heard of. they have _ declaration i've ever heard of. they have resources on the way even before it — have resources on the way even before it was processed. it's everything that we could request. it also reminded me of our police chief here~ _ also reminded me of our police chief here~ hes— also reminded me of our police chief here. he's doing a greatjob in mayfield _ here. he's doing a greatjob in mayfield. having to survey his officers — mayfield. having to survey his officers to see whose homes were standing _ officers to see whose homes were standing and who needed help. can you imagine that? working two straight — you imagine that? working two straight days to help people when you're _ straight days to help people when you're home in need of standing. that's— you're home in need of standing. that's what— you're home in need of standing. that's what we've got people doing. i that's what we've got people doing. i also _ that's what we've got people doing. i also met— that's what we've got people doing. i also met earlier... i do want to thank— i also met earlier... i do want to thank atbt— i also met earlier... i do want to thank at&t which specifically got two communities their cellphones back up — two communities their cellphones back up. they were having trouble communicating even with each other and personnel. we appreciate the second one just came up. next, i want to— second one just came up. next, i want to introduce michael dawson, our director of kentucky emergency management. just our director of kentucky emergency management-— management. just a few brief comments — management. just a few brief comments. first _ management. just a few brief comments. first of— management. just a few brief comments. first of all, - management. just a few brief| comments. first of all, again, management. just a few brief- comments. first of all, again, our hearts go out to you and to the families of those who have been lost. a tragic event that will rank among one of kentucky's worst disasters. thank you to secretary and administrator griswold, thank you so much for coming to see on the ground what it looks like in kentucky. you go to many places in the nation. you follow disasters across the country. seeing you be here, present, only hours after the event is priceless. thank you so much. grace probably only speaks once a week. she's the administrator. please raise your hand. she is the administrator and has been nothing more than exceptional in processing this is after —— disaster. assistance was on the way before we had the first declaration. ijust received the email not two minutes ago that advised that our expedited application will be signed by the governor and forwarded to gracie, and i hope the government will have something to share shortly after. thank you for the quick response. some things we have on the ground now we've talked about. we have the federal team, that is the major search and rescue team. we've requested several more to assist in other areas of our impacted counties, and that's in the works. this is the overhead team that manages the disaster with us. they're already in the eeoc working. we have an incident support team and assessment and organisation. that's what's going to be primary in this disaster. that team will be here and integrate with our staff and we will draft the plan to move forward, bringing new housing into construction and setting expectations. the process is starting immediately. john, are you here? john is my counterpart in the female process —— fema process. he was here for the ice storm in the flooding of it three weeks later, so he is no stranger to what we need here in kentucky, and he'll be working in this disaster, too. i'm going to end with that of a short story on our crew today. we met a lady named jenna adams, a councilperson for the mayor, and she was so significant in speaking about what kentuckians do with other kentuckians. she went home and had to deal with her wash in the washing machine that was going to ruin because the power was out, and she was dealing with the aftermath of some recovery issues, and she talked about what neighbours are doing, and we saw for ourselves as we've all donein we saw for ourselves as we've all done in the past two days. so, i want to end by thanking you for your efforts, thanking you for kentuckians being kentuckians are doing what we do. i kentuckians being kentuckians are doing what we do.— doing what we do. i want to thank the federal _ doing what we do. i want to thank the federal delegation. _ doing what we do. i want to thank| the federal delegation. everything doing what we do. i want to thank. the federal delegation. everything a member— the federal delegation. everything a member of that delegation that puts hard successfully for the steps we need. they have been supportive even when we've _ need. they have been supportive even when we've been out of communication sometime _ when we've been out of communication sometime. we have a congressman from this very— sometime. we have a congressman from this very region, and i know it's been _ this very region, and i know it's been right— this very region, and i know it's been right here with all our people. that's— been right here with all our people. that's congressman james coleman. thank— that's congressman james coleman. thank you _ that's congressman james coleman. thank you i— that's congressman james coleman. thank you. i want to thank the governor— thank you. i want to thank the governor for— thank you. i want to thank the governor for his— thank you. i want to thank the governor for his quick - thank you. i want to thank the i governor for his quick response, thank you. i want to thank the - governor for his quick response, his response _ governor for his quick response, his response with — governor for his quick response, his response with emergency _ governor for his quick response, his . response with emergency management in the national— response with emergency management in the national guard. _ response with emergency management in the national guard. i— response with emergency management in the national guard. i want _ response with emergency management in the national guard. i want to - in the national guard. i want to thank— in the national guard. i want to thank the — in the national guard. i want to thank the secretary _ in the national guard. i want to thank the secretary of - in the national guard. i want to| thank the secretary of maracas. in the national guard. i want to - thank the secretary of maracas. this is going _ thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to _ thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to be — thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to be an— thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to be an effort— thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to be an effort that - thank the secretary of maracas. this is going to be an effort that will - is going to be an effort that will take local— is going to be an effort that will take local cooperation. - is going to be an effort that will take local cooperation. we - is going to be an effort that will take local cooperation. we had| take local cooperation. we had a meeting — take local cooperation. we had a meeting prior— take local cooperation. we had a meeting prior to— take local cooperation. we had a meeting prior to this _ take local cooperation. we had a meeting prior to this conference| meeting prior to this conference with local— meeting prior to this conference with local officials _ meeting prior to this conference with local officials in _ meeting prior to this conference with local officials in the - meeting prior to this conference with local officials in the county| with local officials in the county 's most — with local officials in the county 's most adversely _ with local officials in the county 's most adversely affected. - with local officials in the county 's most adversely affected. the power — 's most adversely affected. the power of — 's most adversely affected. the power of water _ 's most adversely affected. the power of water restoration, - 's most adversely affected. the - power of water restoration, getting utilities _ power of water restoration, getting utilities back~ — power of water restoration, getting utilities back. i— power of water restoration, getting utilities back. i think— power of water restoration, getting utilities back. i think everyone - utilities back. i think everyone will be — utilities back. i think everyone will be working _ utilities back. i think everyone will be working together. - utilities back. i think everyone will be working together. this| utilities back. i think everyone - will be working together. this isn't going _ will be working together. this isn't going to _ will be working together. this isn't going to happen— will be working together. this isn't going to happen overnight. - will be working together. this isn't going to happen overnight. this i will be working together. this isn't going to happen overnight. this is| going to happen overnight. this is going _ going to happen overnight. this is going to _ going to happen overnight. this is going to be — going to happen overnight. this is going to be a _ going to happen overnight. this is going to be a very— going to happen overnight. this is going to be a very long _ going to happen overnight. this is going to be a very long process. l going to happen overnight. this is| going to be a very long process. in speaking _ going to be a very long process. in speaking with _ going to be a very long process. in speaking with every— going to be a very long process. in speaking with every local - going to be a very long process. in speaking with every local resident| speaking with every local resident in this_ speaking with every local resident in this community, _ speaking with every local resident in this community, they— speaking with every local resident in this community, they all- speaking with every local resident in this community, they all will. in this community, they all will quickly— in this community, they all will quickly say— in this community, they all will quickly say we _ in this community, they all will quickly say we will _ in this community, they all will quickly say we will rebuild - in this community, they all will quickly say we will rebuild and| in this community, they all will- quickly say we will rebuild and come back _ quickly say we will rebuild and come back that's— quickly say we will rebuild and come back. that's what _ quickly say we will rebuild and come back. that's what you _ quickly say we will rebuild and come back. that's what you have - quickly say we will rebuild and come back. that's what you have here - quickly say we will rebuild and come back. that's what you have here in i back. that's what you have here in this part _ back. that's what you have here in this part of — back. that's what you have here in this part of kentucky, _ back. that's what you have here in this part of kentucky, west- this part of kentucky, west kentucky, _ this part of kentucky, west kentucky, people - this part of kentucky, west kentucky, people who - this part of kentucky, westi kentucky, people who have this part of kentucky, west. kentucky, people who have a this part of kentucky, west- kentucky, people who have a sense this part of kentucky, west— kentucky, people who have a sense of community— kentucky, people who have a sense of community pride~ _ kentucky, people who have a sense of community pride. they— kentucky, people who have a sense of community pride. they want _ kentucky, people who have a sense of community pride. they want to - community pride. they want to rebuild — community pride. they want to rebuild and _ community pride. they want to rebuild and we _ community pride. they want to rebuild and we will— community pride. they want to rebuild and we will be - community pride. they want to rebuild and we will be there . rebuild and we will be there cooperating _ rebuild and we will be there cooperating on— rebuild and we will be there cooperating on a _ rebuild and we will be there cooperating on a state, - rebuild and we will be there i cooperating on a state, federal rebuild and we will be there - cooperating on a state, federal and local levels — cooperating on a state, federal and local levels. thank— cooperating on a state, federal and local levels. thank you. _ cooperating on a state, federal and local levels. thank you. next - cooperating on a state, federal and local levels. thank you.— cooperating on a state, federal and local levels. thank you. next up, we have the national— local levels. thank you. next up, we have the national guard, _ local levels. thank you. next up, we have the national guard, which - local levels. thank you. next up, we have the national guard, which has. have the national guard, which has been _ have the national guard, which has been so _ have the national guard, which has been so critical these last 18—19 months — been so critical these last 18—19 months in — been so critical these last 18—19 months in so many different ways. we called them _ months in so many different ways. we called them to do so much. most recently. — called them to do so much. most recently, they were helping staff in overrun _ recently, they were helping staff in overrun hospitals in a time we definitety— overrun hospitals in a time we definitely needed help. every community, their morale picks up. here's _ community, their morale picks up. here's general larkin with an update — here's general larkin with an u date. . ~ here's general larkin with an udate. . ,, i. here's general larkin with an udate. . ,, , update. thank you, sir. the conduction _ update. thank you, sir. the conduction he _ update. thank you, sir. the conduction he national- update. thank you, sir. the i conduction he national guard update. thank you, sir. the - conduction he national guard has slightly 300 soldiers and airmen —— the kentucky. 106 of which are here in graves county. we are performing missions, search and rescue clearance and providing air support and airlift. we continue to anticipate the needs and process the request of kentucky operations. as always, we fight as kentuckians. thank you. always, we fight as kentuckians. thank yon-— thank you. studio: that's _ thank you. studio: that's the _ thank you. studio: that's the latest - thank you. studio: i that's the latest from thank you. studio: _ that's the latest from kentucky. let's go live to los angeles and speak to our north america correspondent peter bowes. a recognition that a0 hours on from this tornado event, they're still searching. that's a poignant story popping up- searching. that's a poignant story pepping up— popping up. yeah, definitely. hearin: popping up. yeah, definitely. hearing the _ popping up. yeah, definitely. hearing the governor - popping up. yeah, definitely. hearing the governor saying l popping up. yeah, definitely. - hearing the governor saying they are still hoping for miracles. he and the other officials in the hope that people can still be found alive. that will give a tremendous amount of hope to local people, although realistically, hopes have been fading in the last few hours because those conditions are extremely difficult. homes and commercial buildings, just rubble. this really is, i think anything else that comes through, there is a tremendous partnership between the local authorities and the federal government. we've got 300 members of the national guard, soldiers in the area, trying to go through some of that rubble, trying to do whatever they can to help people to get to somewhere safe. we heard there were 13 shelters opened initially, only six being used now. that's because of the generosity of local people in neighbouring towns, taking in people whether they be friends or family or in many cases, strangers. they're just helping people get back on their feet. just helping people get back on theirfeet. we've heard in some districts, cellphone and coverage has been restored, still a lot of work to be done there. there is food for people. the parks have been open to provide shelter, and food for people over the next couple of weeks. 50 a tremendous amount of work that is going on. i think the other clear message was that this is going to go on for a very long time. this is a vast area. many other states as well. especially the federal government, paying attention to to try to begin that process of helping people get back on their feet. i helping people get back on their feet. . . helping people get back on their feet. ., . w' helping people get back on their feet. , _ helping people get back on their feet. .,, , x' ,, ., ., feet. i was struck by the mention of the olice feet. i was struck by the mention of the police chief _ feet. i was struck by the mention of the police chief in _ feet. i was struck by the mention of the police chief in mayfield, - feet. i was struck by the mention of the police chief in mayfield, which l the police chief in mayfield, which is being called ground zero of this tornado event. surveying his own officers to see who has a house still standing. really remarkable. also, turning now to talk of rebuilding, building new homes, is it significant now that we have an official declaration of a disaster? well, it's very official. it's very significant for a financial perspective. that opens up phones to help local authorities, which will be a hugely expensive exercise over many months and years as well. so, the concern about who is paying for this is lifted to some extent from the local authorities. it also provides heavy equipment. we know a lot of bulldozers have been sent into this area to try to go through some of that rubble from neighbouring communities. the other thing that struck me was i think it was the governor talking about the outpouring of love that they have felt from the entire country — more than $2 million donated already. in just 2a hours or so, to help local people. some of that money will be used for funeral expenses. one of the first things that some of these people will have to think about, but there will be money to help people just rebuild their lives, pay for the shelter, perhaps living expenses over the next few weeks before they can even begin to think about finding a new home. irate can even begin to think about finding a new home.- can even begin to think about finding a new home. we and that will be following — finding a new home. we and that will be following this _ finding a new home. we and that will be following this story _ finding a new home. we and that will be following this story is _ finding a new home. we and that will be following this story is the - finding a new home. we and that will be following this story is the day - be following this story is the day goes on. afghanistan is responsible for the vast majority of the world's heroin supply — and now it's also emerged as a major manufacturer of crystal meth. as the country faces economic collapse since the taliban's rise to power, the drug trade there is booming. our afghanistan correspondent, secunder kermani, has this report. they are one of afghanistan's most lucrative exports. but these drugs are destroying lives here and abroad. there's heroin, and increasingly now, crystal meth. this, an exclusive look at where the meth is coming from. these drugs in southern afghanistan will be smuggled to countries as far away as australia. the amount in this room alone would sell there for around £2 million. this is how it's made. makeshift open—air labs in the desert under the noses of the taliban. these tracks are full of a key ingredient. these trucks are full of a key ingredient. traffickers here have discovered a common wild plant can be used to produce meth cheaply. last week the taliban banned farmers from picking it but they are not last week, the taliban banned farmers from picking it, but they're not shutting down the meth labs. this man has links to the trade. when the taliban announced their ban on this plant, they tell me, the wholesale price of meth doubled and there are still warehouses full of it. it's another dangerous drug, heroin, from opium poppies like these most commonly associated with afghanistan. before the taliban takeover, opium trade is paid of corrupt before the taliban takeover, opium traders paid off corrupt officials and so would the black paced secretly. now, they have been allowed to open up stalls and markets. we're driving through a bazaar where opium is being sold openly. much of it is then going to be processed into heroin. the taliban are not stopping drug production — in fact, they've been taxing it for years. but they don't want journalists to see it being traded. that's why we're filming from inside the car. you call yourselves an islamic government, but you are allowing drug production. isn't that hypocritical? translation: under the islamic emirate, before 2001, _ the growing and selling of opium dropped to zero. right now, we're to find alternatives. we can't take this away from people without offering them something else. foryears, poorfarmers have relied on opium to provide for their families. now, as afghanistan's economy collapses without international support, and water levels continue to drop, many see it has the safest crop to grow. opium destroys a lot of people's lives. if opium is banned, what will happen to you guys and your families? the taliban regularly haul these addicts off to rehab centres. but many end up straight back here. for now, more drugs look set to hit the streets, both in afghanistan and across the world. secunder kermani, bbc news, afghanistan. let's return to our top story now — the rapidly rising number of omicron cases in the uk. chris hopson, who is the ceo of nhs providers — that's the organisation representing hospitals and ambulance services — said we're still waiting to see how serious the impact of the omicron variant is on the health service. he's been speaking to my colleague jane hill. it looks like the omicron variant is more transmissible than the previous delta variant. if you look at the speed at which infections appear to be picking up of the fact we've got a doubling time of two ivan three days, that suggests it's significantly more infectious. — besear — three. we will have to weight... working out how seriously the consequences of catching omicron r. obviously, working on a basis that the vaccinations have changed. if people weren't having their booster, the risk would be much higher. there's quite a lot we don't know, but there is obviously concern inside the nhs inside the level of hospitalizations we might see, but we need to work at —— wait for a little bit longer to see exactly how some symptoms of people who catch this new variant are. 50. some symptoms of people who catch this new variant are.— this new variant are. so, it's a tricky interim _ this new variant are. so, it's a tricky interim period, - this new variant are. so, it's a tricky interim period, for- this new variant are. so, it's a tricky interim period, for the l tricky interim period, for the people you represent and for the politicians having to make the decisions. are the people you represent saying, "we are preparing for the worse because we have to?" i for the worse because we have to?" i think that quote of preparing for the worse but hoping for the best is absolutely spot on, but i think what we need to remember. is that the nhs is under real pressure at the moment in terms of much wider health and care issues. if you look, the emergency care pathway is very busy. we answered more 999 calls than ever in november. we also know at the same time, trying to get through that backlog as quickly as possible, and we know our colleagues in primary care are incredibly busy. gps rolling out those vital boosters as quickly as possible, and we know our colleagues in social care are also very busy indeed. we know for example, 1,000,000 and a half hours of domiciliary care could be delivered between august and october because social care... wherever you look in our system, you have a system that is under pressure to a greater degree than we ever saw this period of time this time of year. that's really for two things. one is the traditional nhs winter peak that tends to happen in early january. secondly, in terms of what might happen in terms of this extra omicron, so yes, the nhs is be on full stretch and that's before he hit the consequences. everybody on the front line will is doing the best they can to provide the best possible care to everybody who needs it. staying with omicron... south african president cyril ramaphosa positive for covid—19, though is showing only mild symptoms. the 69—year—old president, who is fully vaccinated, is in self—isolation in cape town and has delegated all responsibilities to deputy president david mabuza for the next week. in the past few days, a nationwide outbreak in south africa, believed to be linked to the new omicron variant, has been infecting around 20,000 people a day. one of hong kong's most popular mass sporting events — the annual swim across victoria harbour — has gone ahead. it was suspended for two years in succession because of pro—democracy protests and then a pandemic lockdown. because of covid, entry numbers were restricted to about half of the usual three thousand competitors, all of whom were fully vaccinated. what a spectacular sight and the amazing thing to see as you jump out of the water at the end, or maybe stagger out in my case. a rare gemstone has been discovered by experts in sri lanka. take a look at this — the blue sapphire —weighing three hundred and ten kilogrammes — has been dubbed the "queen of asia". should be something more than a queen, it's massive! a monk chanted as it was displayed to the media for the first time. it's believed to be the world's largest single natural corundum gemstone. experts say it can be hard to predict the quality and value of smaller gemstones cut from a mass material. but you do ask, why spoil it? those blues are so iridescent. what a wonderful thing to take us to the weather. it was noticeably mild today right across the country, but particularly so for england and wales. now we look to the northwest through this evening and overnight, this deep area of low pressure — small system, but very vigorous — passing through the northwest of the uk, will bring a spell of gales to northern ireland and in towards scotland as well. stormy conditions for the hebrides and the northern isles, perhaps severe gales for a time, some blustery showers. here, we'll turn drier here by the end of the night, but for england and wales, it'll stay cloudy with outbreaks of rain certainly through wales and into the midlands. mild in the south — double figure values here, little bit cooler further north. and that's how things look into monday. we hold on to the cloud for large parts of england and wales. we'll continue with this persistent rain as well for parts of wales in the midlands,into northern england, some areas pretty wet all day. brightest weather will be across scotland and northern ireland. a few blustery showers, wintry on the hills, will be milder across the south, single figures across the north. that weather front for england and wales clears away into tuesday. high pressure begins to build in here. it stays unsettled over the northern half of the country, lots of isobars and weather fronts. windy for scotland and northern ireland and some rain, particularly for the north and west of scotland. england and wales, closer to that area of high pressure, should be largely dry, some cloud around but also some good spells of sunshine. those temperatures will be around orjust a little above the seasonal norm. as we head out of tuesday into wednesday, we continue with that area of high pressure across the south of the country, so settled with light winds. still quite windy across the northern half of the country with further outbreaks of rain thanks to that weather front. so, with some wet weather, northern ireland, certainly for northern and western scotland, maybe a little bit of brightness at times. stays windy here, lighter winds in the south. again, variable cloud, some good spells of sunshine, temperatures perhaps a little bit higher again — double figure values for most. nights will be much milder as well, frost—free for most of us. then, beyond wednesday, we see this area of high pressure start to really take its force across the uk. that'll push the weather fronts away from the north. it'll be sitting on top of the by friday and into the following weekend, so it means winds will turn very light. so, there's a chance it turns really great and gloomy by the end of the week, turning a bit colder as well as we head on into the new weekend, and we will see some problems with mist and fog. this is bbc world news. our top stories. the prime minister pledges that every adult in england will be offered a booster virus vaccine by the end of the month in response to what he calls an emergency and tackling the virus.— what he calls an emergency and tackling the virus. there is a tidal wave of omicron _ tackling the virus. there is a tidal wave of omicron coming - tackling the virus. there is a tidal wave of omicron coming and - tackling the virus. there is a tidal wave of omicron coming and i'm| wave of omicron coming and i'm afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough. doses of vaccine are simply not enou:h. , , ., doses of vaccine are simply not enou:h. , ,., ,., enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise — enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise 65% _ enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise 65% of— enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise 6596 of the _ enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise 6596 of the previous - enough. the numbers of new cases of omicron rise 6596 of the previous 24 l omicron rise 65% of the previous 2a hours and health chiefs say some have been hospitalised. and more political pressure over covert rules mounts as borisjohnson faces a possible rebellion on tuesday and continuing questions about christmas gatherings in downing street a year ago.