Storm clean up begins after at least 9 Tri-State deaths

HOLTON, Ind. - Recovery and clean up are the focus of emergency crews Saturday in the wake of Friday's severe weather that killed at least nine people in the Tri-State.

The Indiana State Police have reported at least two deaths in Ripley County. Police say Ron Pickett, 59, and Armando Hernandez, who was in his early 20s, died in Friday's storms. Three other people were reported dead in Jefferson County, Ind., which is right outside of the Tri-State, according the Office of Homeland Security.

Indiana officials say a total of 14 people died in the state Friday. Details surrounding the incidents that led to the deaths have not been released, and officials have not yet released their identities.

The Ripley County EMA reports seven additional people were hospitalized with injuries. Dan Grois of the Ripley County EMA says they will continue to search for people and survey damages in the county.

In Clermont County, officials reported that three people were killed during the storms: Bill Adkins, 58, of Franklin  Township, Carol Forste, 64, was found in her home on Elizabeth Street in Moscow and James Prater, 54, was found inside his mobile home on State Route 133 in Franklin Township.

Clermont County commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday.

Officials in Kentucky said four people in Kenton County also died in the storms.

Police say the storms killed Linda Beemon, 73, and Donald Beemon, 78, who were killed in their home on Old Lexington Pike. James Brookes, 49, of Dry Ridge was killed in his vehicle while driving on U.S. 25 near Old Lexington Pike, according to police.

Officials say that at least 19 people have died from the storms in the entire commonwealth.

Stay with 9 News and WCPO.com for more information as it becomes available.