Flash flooding triggered by thunderstorms has killed four people in Kentucky, according to Gov. Andy Beshear, who declared a state of emergency as rescue crews continued work in hard-hit areas and more rain was expected.
Gov. Andy Beshear said four people died in Kentucky after thunderstorms triggered flash flooding across the state, and he declared a state of emergency as crews kept working in hard-hit areas.
The flooding struck communities in Madison County and Jackson County. AP reported that three of the victims were in Madison County and one was in Jackson County. In Richmond, two people were found dead inside a flooded home, and another person died in a vehicle on a flooded roadway near Lexington.
Search-and-rescue teams were going door to door in areas that remained difficult to reach because of floodwater. AP reported that at least 12 state roads were out of commission because of flooding, adding to the disruption across the region.
Emergency response
Beshear warned residents to stay out of floodwaters and avoid driving, especially at night, because conditions were dangerous and visibility was poor. The National Weather Service had flash flood warnings in effect for parts of Kentucky and Indiana as heavy rain continued to threaten the region.
In Bullitt County, residents near a dam embankment were asked to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide. Officials said there was no immediate sign of dam failure.
What comes next
The death toll could still change as crews reach flooded and inaccessible areas. Officials are also watching whether evacuation precautions expand in Bullitt County and whether flood warnings are extended or upgraded as the storm system moves through.
The flooding followed thunderstorms that dumped several inches of rain across Kentucky and parts of neighboring Indiana, leaving widespread roadway damage and continuing public-safety concerns.
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