Tragic Flooding in Kentucky Claims Four Lives, Reports Governor Andy Beshear

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Governor Andy Beshear announced on Saturday that four lives have been lost due to severe flooding from thunderstorms in Kentucky. In response, he has declared a state of emergency, anticipating more rainfall in the coming days.

Flash flood warnings are currently active for regions within Kentucky and Indiana as the National Weather Service reports ongoing heavy rainfall.

Late Saturday afternoon, the agency reported that southwestern Indiana had already experienced between 4 and 10 inches of rain, with additional precipitation expected. In some areas of Kentucky, forecasts suggest rainfall could reach up to 7 inches by late evening, according to Beshear’s office.

The governor shared on social media that the fatalities included three individuals in Madison County and one in Jackson County, all attributed to the flooding.

The Madison County coroner’s office reported that amongst the victims were a man and a woman, who were discovered deceased inside their residence after floodwaters engulfed a section of Richmond, Kentucky, effectively trapping residents in their homes.

Another victim was extracted from a vehicle trapped in floodwaters on Tates Creek Road near Lexington, the coroner’s office said.

Carlos Coyle, the deputy Madison County coroner, said search and rescue teams were going door to door searching for victims in hard-hit areas. Some areas still were not accessible, he said.

Beshear said on social media there were “significant roads underwater” in Madison County. He also said at least 12 state roads were “out of commission” because they were flooded.

“This is a serious flooding event, where teams have already had to conduct multiple water rescues from vehicles and homes across the commonwealth,” he said in a separate statement. “As more heavy rain continues through late tonight, we need folks to remain alert and to avoid driving, especially after dark when there is limited visibility.”

In northwest Kentucky, just outside Louisville, Bullitt County emergency management officials asked residents of a rural road to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide at a dam embankment. The dam was holding, and there was no indication of imminent failure, they said.

The area saw about 3 inches of rain in the past two days, according to the National Weather Service.