Kentucky Sending Hurricane-Relief Workers South

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky is sending National Guard soldiers and utility workers to help in areas affected by Hurricane Irma.

The Kentucky Air National Guard says it is sending about 25 soldiers to the Caribbean to help with search and rescue efforts in the wake of the Category 5 storm. A statement from the agency says soldiers were deploying Thursday to the U.S. Virgin Islands with two Blackhawk helicopters.

Meanwhile, Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities said 190 workers including line technicians and tree trimmers left Thursday for Florida, where they’re mobilizing for potential large-scale restoration efforts.

Irma has cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean and was increasingly likely to hit South Florida early Sunday, prompting officials to declare an emergency and impose mandatory evacuation orders for some areas.