LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that Kentucky had two reported tornado touchdowns as of Friday afternoon.

"We have learned of a second reported tornado touching down in Christian County," Beshear tweeted. "Please stay safe."

Beshear said storms in Kentucky were producing 80 mph winds and that 18,000 residents were without power. That number, as of 4:30 p.m., had risen to more than 78,000.

"We have significant concerns for the public safety for our citizens today," Beshear said in a Friday morning news conference. "There is a certainty of severe storms and significant wind gusts with possibilities of both flooding and tornados.

"We do think there is a real potential for isolated tornadoes."

Beshear said that it was of "such concern" that he had already declared a State of Emergency in the commonwealth and alerted more than 400 members of the Kentucky National Guard that their services would likely be needed for storm response.

"These winds will potentially be enough to move a tractor trailer," off the road, Beshear said. "The wind will really kick in after the storm moves through, and that’s something we’re not quite used to."

IMAGES | Flooding and weather damage during March 3, 2023 storms

Beshear said a team of meteorologists and first responders are monitoring the storm in Kentucky's Emergency Operations Center. He ordered the Kentucky National Guard to begin preparing preemptively to respond to the storms. State workers who are able to do so are being asked to work remotely, and all state offices are closing at 11 a.m. 

Many school districts are closed on Friday in response to the coming storms.

"I think that's a good decision," Beshear said.

He went on to reference previous weather events in the state that had resulted in loss of life and severe damage, including tornados that tore through western Kentucky in Dec. 2021, and flooding that devastated the eastern part of the state months later.

"We have already lost way too many people due to flooding, tornadoes and severe weather events," he said.

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Below are power outage maps for various utility companies in Louisville and southern Indiana. These maps are regularly updated:

Kentucky:

Indiana:

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