Flash Flooding Kills Four in Kentucky as Governor Declares Statewide Emergency

FRANKFORT, Ky. — At least four people have died in flash flooding that struck central and southern Kentucky over the weekend, Gov. Andy Beshear said, as repeated rounds of thunderstorms dumped heavy rain on ground already saturated from days of wet weather.

Three of the deaths occurred in Madison County, just south of Lexington, and one in Jackson County in the southeastern part of the state. Officials said a man and a woman drowned inside a home that was submerged, and one motorist was killed after being swept away by floodwaters.

Emergency Declared

Beshear declared a state of emergency for the entire commonwealth on Saturday as the National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood emergencies, its most severe flood warning. The governor described conditions as more severe than many had anticipated and urged residents not to drive after dark.

In Richmond, the Madison County seat, first responders carried out rescues in neighborhoods where rising water had flooded homes and trapped residents inside. Dozens of rescues were reported across the affected region.

By Sunday afternoon, 13 counties and five cities had declared local emergencies, according to the governor’s office. The counties are Bullitt, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Grayson, Jackson, Jessamine, Madison, Meade, Mercer, Metcalfe, Spencer and Wayne. The cities are Albany, Brandenburg, Burkesville, McKee and Muldraugh.

Infrastructure Damage

Beshear said Sunday that conditions were improving but warned the state faces extensive damage to roads and bridges that were washed out by the floods. He said Kentucky would seek both public and individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with a focus on helping rural counties rebuild infrastructure.

More than 8 inches of rain fell in parts of the state during the multi-day event, according to reports.

Safety Warnings

The National Weather Service reserves flash flood emergencies for situations in which severe threats to human life and catastrophic damage are occurring or imminent. Forecasters noted that the storms repeatedly tracked over the same areas, a pattern that can rapidly overwhelm creeks and small rivers in hilly terrain.

State officials encouraged residents affected by the flooding to document damage to homes and property with photographs, which can support applications for federal disaster aid if a declaration is approved. Shelters were opened in several affected communities for displaced residents.

Kentucky has endured repeated deadly flooding in recent years, including catastrophic floods in the eastern part of the state in 2022. Emergency officials asked residents to avoid flooded roadways, noting that just a few inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.