By Andrea Shalal

WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – The U.S. President Joe Biden approved Saturday an emergency declaration in Kentucky following a swarm tornadoes that left at least 70 dead.

According to weather forecasters, the storms were unusually severe in colder months. They destroyed a candle factory in Kentucky and a fire department in another Kentucky community. A Missouri nursing home was also damaged. At least two employees died in an Amazon.com warehouse in Illinois.

According to the White House, Biden requested federal aid in order to complement the responses from the states and local authorities.

It’s tragic. Biden stated that it was a tragedy and we do not know the number of victims or extent of the damage.

Biden answered a question about whether climate change was a factor in the destruction caused by the hurricanes.

He said, “Accknowledging that there is a possibility of less weather disasters, absent a continuing movement on the global warming issue, just isn’t going to happen.”

Biden said that there would be a more long-term question than the immediate disaster response for both the United States and its states. It would concern the warning system of potential tornadoes.

“One of my questions, and I am confident that they will be asked, is this: What warning did you give? Was it clear enough? And, was it taken seriously enough? Biden said.

Biden met earlier on Saturday with governors of five states affected by storms, Arkansas, Illinois Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, to convey condolences to them and to promise that they would deliver assistance quickly.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is sending personnel, water, and other necessities to seven affected states. Biden has also ordered additional resources to areas in greatest need to ensure that federal resources are available.