Kentucky has been hit by intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and snow over the weekend, causing widespread flooding and leaving devastation across the state. As of Monday morning, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that the death toll has risen to 11, with an additional two fatalities reported in a 10 a.m. briefing.
The state is currently under a federally-declared emergency after floodwaters engulfed all 120 counties. At least nine people have lost their lives, and tens of thousands are without power, water, and sewer services.
Western and south-central Kentucky saw the heaviest rains, with some areas receiving up to 7 inches of rain. The deluge led to road closures, the destruction of vehicles, and the tragic deaths of a mother and child. Trees were toppled, and towns were swept away by the rising waters.
Flooding has affected rivers throughout the state, with the Kentucky, Green, and Rolling Fork rivers experiencing significant surges, according to the National Weather Service. In the Appalachian region, flash floods overwhelmed creeks and rivers, flooding homes and downtown areas in towns like Hazard, Fleming-Neon, and Pikeville.
State police were forced to evacuate 100 patients from a nursing home in Elkhorn City. Governor Beshear stated during a Sunday press conference that Kentucky is still in the search-and-rescue phase and expects the number of casualties to rise in the coming days.
“This is one of the most serious weather events we’ve faced in at least a decade,” Beshear said. “We’ve certainly had our share of disasters, and this is another major one.”
Emergency shelters have been opened throughout eastern Kentucky, with state parks serving as temporary refuge for more than a hundred evacuees. Local swiftwater rescue teams had been strategically placed ahead of the flooding, enabling over 1,000 water rescues within the first 24 hours, many of them in eastern Kentucky.
First responders across the state have been tirelessly working around the clock to manage the flooding. In Garrard County, Deputy Emergency Management Director David East acknowledged the strain of the situation, saying, “We were prepared. We knew it was coming. So, you know, it’s kind of the — that’s what we do. We’re there during emergencies.”
As recovery efforts continue, the people of Kentucky face an uncertain road ahead as they cope with the destruction caused by this devastating weather event.
