Live updates: Biden departs Kentucky after touring tornado damage in Mayfield, Dawson Springs

President Joe Biden visited Kentucky on Wednesday to view the destruction caused by the weekend tornadoes and observe ongoing recovery efforts.

Biden was joined by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Administrator Deanne Criswell, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, traveled with Biden to the state.

Biden traveled to Fort Campbell for a storm briefing and then visited Mayfield and Dawson Springs, two of the towns hardest hit by the storms, to survey the damage. The president took an aerial tour of Mayfield before being briefed by local officials on recovery efforts.

'Divine intervention': A tornado destroyed the Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation facility in Kentucky. All of the residents survived.

"While the president is there, he will be surveying storm damage firsthand, making sure that we're doing everything to deliver assistance as quickly as possible in impacted areas to support recovery efforts," Psaki said Tuesday.

Here are live updates on Biden's visit to Kentucky. The region Biden is visiting is in Central Standard Time, but all times listed with each update are in Eastern Standard Time, except where noted.

6 p.m.: Biden leaves Kentucky

Biden departed Fort Campbell about 6 p.m. after a day of touring tornado-ravaged communities and hearing from residents and local officials.

He said during his trip that the federal government is committed to supporting towns as they rebuild in the weeks, months and years to come.

Kentuckians such as Marlene Kimmel, whose Dawson Springs house was destroyed Friday, said they were grateful for the visit:

4:30: Biden, Beshear speak in Dawson Springs

Biden, alongside Beshear, reiterated that the federal government is committed to helping Kentucky communities rebuild after a string of deadly tornadoes at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Dawson Springs.

"Keep the faith," he said. "We're going to get this done. I promise you — The governor is not walking away, your county judge is not walking away, your congressman is not walking away. No one's walking away. We're in this for the long haul."

Biden said housing will be a main priority as the recovery continues.

"Because of COVID, we want to make sure people get out of those shelters as quickly as they can," he said.

The president also praised the Dawson Springs community and the entire commonwealth for coming together in the face of tragedy, especially during the holiday season.

He introduced a young boy from Dawson Springs he met while touring the town named Dane and Dane's older cousin, who Biden said will graduate from the University of Kentucky on Friday.

"We're going to figure out something special for her graduation day," he said.

Biden also praised Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear for her holiday toy drive, with the pair noting it's already garnered 20,000 toys to be distributed to Western Kentucky kids for Christmas.

Related: Kentucky First Lady Britainy Beshear organizing Western Kentucky Toy Drive for tornado victims

4 p.m.: Biden tours Dawson Springs

Biden toured a hard-hit neighborhood in the Hopkins County community of Dawsons Springs mid-afternoon Wednesday alongside Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. James Comer and other officials.

Biden spoke with residents who lost their homes, including Melissa Lamb, who Biden could be heard asking about her Green Bay Packers sweater.

Gene and Marlene Kimmel also spoke with Biden as he walked down the street near their house, which was destroyed by the tornado Friday as they huddled in a hallway.

Marlene Kimmel hugged Biden and said, “I’m so glad you’re here!”

Gene Kimmel said Biden answered all of their questions, took their names and phone number and “said he’s bound and determined to help us build back and help us get the funds.”

“I’m just floored right now that I got to meet the president,” said Marlene. “He genuinely cares. He really, really cares.”

Philip Bruce and his wife Pat talked with Biden in the driveway of their destroyed house, where they have lived for 17 years of their 51-year marriage.

Bruce, who has lived in Dawson Springs all his life, said it was good to have the president visit, who “talked about the community and wanted to know how we were doing.”

Bruce said his sister-in-law was killed in the tornado, as was one neighbor who lives one house over across his street.

“We’re Dawson strong,” Bruce said. “We ain’t got much, but we got each other. And everyone is willing to help one another.”

3:30 p.m.: Federal disaster declaration amended

Biden on Wednesday, the White House announced as he toured Kentucky, amended the federal disaster declaration he previously approved to expand the federal assistance available to Kentuckians.

Federal funds will now be available to cover up to 100% "of the total eligible costs" related to "debris removal and emergency protective measures" for 30 days, the Biden administration's statement said.

1:50 p.m.: Biden heads to Princeton

Biden got in a helicopter to head from Mayfield to Princeton in Caldwell County, which had several deaths over the weekend, before later visiting Dawson Springs, the Hopkins County community that has seen numerous deaths and some of the worst damage following the tornadoes and storms.

1:30 p.m.: People have gone through a 'god-awful mess,' Biden says

"We're going to stay until this gets finished and totally reconstructed," Biden said while in downtown Mayfield, which was leveled Friday night by a tornado. "A lot of people have gone through a god-awful mess. Right now, they're just recovering from the shock of it all."

In Mayfield, many residents expressed optimism at Biden's visit and the federal support that had arrived in areas hit by the storm system. Still, at one point, an onlooker yelled "Let's go Brandon," which has become a coded insult for Biden.

1 p.m.: Biden departs airport for Mayfield neighborhood

Biden left the Mayfield Graves County Airport, with his next stop later in the afternoon set to be a Mayfield neighborhood that was damaged by the tornado and storm system.

Secret Service and local law enforcement personnel blocked off State Route 58 by Byrd Road as the presidential motorcade moved out.

12:15 p.m.: At Mayfield's airport, Biden lauds 'the way you all came together'

Biden visited with officials at Mayfield Graves County Airport, including Beshear, Homeland Mayorkas, Criswell, Comer and the local mayor, police and fire chiefs.

Biden said he was stunned by the "incredible" devastation he saw in his flyover of the area.

"I have not seen this much damage from a tornado," the president said.

He said he was amazed "at the way you all came together" and that is "the way America is supposed to be."

"There's no red tornadoes, and there's no blue tornadoes," Biden said. "There's no red states or blue states."

"Don’t hesitate to ask for anything," he also told local officials.

Beshear echoed that point, telling the local leaders "we're here for anything you need," with Mayorkas urging those in need to go to disasterassistance.gov or check in with FEMA personnel who are on the ground.

-Chris Kenning

10:50 a.m.: Biden and Air Force One land in Kentucky

President Biden has landed in Kentucky and will begin heading to Fort Campbell to address media and then continue his tour of the state. On his arrival, Biden was met by Gov. Andy Beshear and his wife Britainy Beshear, along with former Gov. Steve Beshear.

Live updates: Follow along for the latest Kentucky tornado news

9:15 a.m.: Biden boards Marine One to start trip to Kentucky

Biden boarded the Marine One helicopter a few minutes before 9:15 a.m. EST to kick off his journey to the Bluegrass State, with the president scheduled to eventually take Air Force One to Kentucky and land around 10:10 a.m. CST.

President Biden's schedule in Kentucky

Air Force One is scheduled to land around 10:10 a.m. CST Wednesday and then depart the state at 4:55 p.m. CST, according to the White House.

Around 9:20 a.m. CST, Biden will head to Fort Campbell where he will address the media around 10:10 a.m. CST. By 10:35 a.m. CST, Biden will survey storm damage on an aerial tour, including Mayfield, one of the hardest hit areas of Kentucky.

By 11:05 a.m. CST, Biden will arrive at the Mayfield Graves County Airport where he will receive a briefing from local leaders on the impact of the tornadoes. He is also expected to address the media.

More: Kentucky tornado death toll: 75 people have been confirmed dead after storms by officials

By 12:45 p.m. CST, Biden will tour a neighborhood in Mayfield. He is scheduled to depart Mayfield to head to Princeton around 1:35 p.m. CST.

Around 2:30 p.m. CST, Biden will tour a neighborhood in Dawson Springs and deliver remarks on his administration's response to the tornadoes. The President will leave Princeton around 4:10 p.m. CST and head back to Fort Campbell, where he is scheduled to leave around 4:40 p.m. CST.

Was the Mayfield tornado an EF5?: Here's how the National Weather Service decides

Biden issued an emergency declaration Saturday in the immediate aftermath of the storm to get federal resources to Kentucky more quickly. The president has told Beshear and the governors of other affected states that federal disaster officials will get resources to them quickly.

"This administration has made it clear to every governor: whatever they need, when they need it," Biden said. "We'll get it to them ... as rapidly as we can. And that's what we're doing here in Kentucky."

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Biden in Kentucky: Live updates as president views tornado damage