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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2119
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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor of Kentucky's rural electric 1
cooperative utility workers who provided vital support during the deadly tornado that 2
devastated Kentucky on May 16, 2025. 3
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2025, a deadly severe weather breakout spawned 4
devastating tornadoes causing significant damage in Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, and 5
Arkansas, with Kentucky experiencing peak winds estimated at 179 miles per hour; and 6
WHEREAS, on that evening, an EF -4 tornado nearly a mile wide ripped through 7
parts of south central and eastern Kentucky along its 55.6 -mile path, which severely 8
impacted Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties; and 9
WHEREAS, this devastating s torm left 19 Kentuckians dead, many others 10
hospitalized, and tens of thousands of homes and businesses without vital power due to 11
extensive damage to electric distribution and transmission infrastructure, including 12
downed poles, broken conductors, damaged substations, and destroyed transmission 13
structures; and 14
WHEREAS, this was the deadliest tornado to ever be reported in the region; and 15
WHEREAS, the storm directly hit South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative's 16
headquarters in Somerset, rendering its super visory control and data acquisition system 17
and outage management system inoperable and heavily damaging its distribution system; 18
and 19
WHEREAS, in total, dozens of distribution substations and electric circuits were 20
severely impacted at the peak of the storm , while hundreds of power poles were broken 21
and many miles of power line were knocked down; and 22
WHEREAS, crews from electric cooperatives and mutual -aid partners immediately 23
mobilized, deploying skilled line and substation personnel throughout the region, and 24
organized into multiple crews who tirelessly worked around the clock, often in darkness, 25
severe weather, and debris -filled environments, putting public safety and community 26
recovery ahead of their own comfort and rest; and 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 2119
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XXXX 2/10/2026 11:48 AM Jacketed
WHEREAS, by May 19, 2025, despite extreme fatigue and dangerous conditions, 1
crews fully restored life-saving electricity to the residents impacted by this terrible storm, 2
as well as to the businesses and manufacturing companies that support those 3
communities; and 4
WHEREAS, linemen, substation technicians, engineers, dispatchers, and support 5
staff selflessly devoted several thousand man -hours to restore emergency power during 6
this brief but critical time period alone; and 7
WHEREAS, rural electric cooperative utility workers' skill, courage, teamwork, and 8
unwavering commitment exemplifies the highest ideals of public service and the 9
cooperative spirit upon which Kentucky's electric system is built; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, 11
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Asse mbly of the Commonwealth of 12
Kentucky: 13
Section 1. The members of the Senate hereby express their appreciation for the 14
dedicated service, rapid deployment, and life -saving actions of the rural electric 15
cooperative utility workers during and after the deadly storm on May 16, 2025. 16
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor of the service 17
of Kentucky's rural electric cooperatives' utility workers. 18
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 19
Resolution to Senator Brandon Storm for delivery to East Kentucky Power Cooperative, 20
Big Rivers Electric Corporation, and Tennessee Valley Authority and their owner -21
member rural electric cooperatives. 22