At least six people were thought to be dead from the partial collapse of a 1.1-million-sq-ft Amazon.com distribution center in Edwardsville, Ill., caused by an Enhanced Fujita Scale-3 tornado that hit Dec. 10, part of a storm system that swept through five states. Eight others were also confirmed dead from the collapse of a candle factory in Mayfield, Ky., in what is believed to have been an EF-4 twister. Both businesses had workers inside when the tornadoes hit.
On Dec. 11, President Biden declared Kentucky a major disaster zone. He did the same for Illinois on Dec. 13.