This is an ongoing story, and ABC 36 News will provide more information as it becomes available.
Gov. Andy Beshear releases update on deadly flooding, state of emergency
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) –
Update: June 28 at 1:45 p.m.
Gov. Andy Beshear released an update Sunday afternoon about historic flash flooding that swept through the Commonwealth this weekend.
According to Beshear, many parts of the state saw upwards of eight inches of rain, and the number of counties that have issued a state of emergency has risen to 18 including Bullitt, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Grayson, Jackson, Jessamine, Madison, Meade, Mercer, Metcalf, Spencer, and Wayne counties. The cities of Albany, Brandenburg, Burkesville, McKee, Muldraugh, and Richmond have also issued states of emergency.
Beshear has confirmed four Kentuckians have died in connection to the flood. He has announced he will be making a request to the federal government for both public and individual assistance.
“This flooding has devastated so many communities across our state and taken the lives of four children of God, gone too soon. While we are still in the search and rescue phase, we are also working quickly to survey damage to submit a request for federal assistance. People have lost their homes and so much more, and this type of support will be essential as we work to recover and rebuild together,” said Beshear.
As part of Beshear’s state of emergency executive order, the governor also signed an emergency order allowing pharmacies in impacted areas to issue emergency refills, according to a press release.
At this time across the state, at least 63 water rescues have been conducted, Madison County now has 17 households offering shelter, 320 homes in Madison County are without water, and mutual aid has been provided by the Anderson County Fire Department, the Frankfort Fire Department, the Georgetown Fire Department, the Lexington Fire Department, the Versailles Fire Department, the Winchester Fire Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky State Police Air Support, the Georgetown-Scott County Emergency Management Agency, and Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue.
Beshear is urging residents to avoid unnecessary driving after dark, and to only contact 911 in life-or-death situations. According to a press release, in non-life-threatening situations, residents can use the State Warning Point Line at 1-800-255-2587.
Beshear also released additional resources for residents to utilize during this time. For up-to-date roadway conditions, residents can visit the Team Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website. For safety flooding tips, residents can visit Kentucky Emergency Management’s website.
The state is collecting funds to support Kentuckians impacted by the flood through the Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund. To learn more information or to donate, visit this link: The Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund.
Update: June 27 at 3:50 p.m.
In a social media post on Saturday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear explains that a state of emergency has been issued in Kentucky, citing multiple fatalities are possibly correlated to severe flooding across the Commonwealth.
“It’s going to be dangerous to drive. We’ve already had at least one motorist swept away and killed by flash flooding… Madison County got hit hard [as well as Bullitt County], including significant roads underwater, and we think we have multiple fatalities in that county,” Beshear said verbally in the social media post.
In the caption of the post, Beshear added the state is working to confirm the reported fatalities at this time.
Original story:
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a state of emergency over Kentucky due to excessive rainfall and persistent flooding impacting the Commonwealth.
According to a press release, states of emergency have also been issued in Bullitt, Madison, Meade, Mercer, and Spencer counties. Some parts of the state are expected to reach upwards of seven inches of rainfall, with persistent weather conditions continuing until 11 p.m. Saturday.
Beshear is urging residents to avoid unnecessary driving after dark, and to only contact 911 in life-or-death situations. According to a press release, in non-life-threatening situations, residents can use the State Warning Point Line at 1-800-255-2587.
“This is a serious flooding event, where teams have already had to conduct multiple water rescues from vehicles and homes across the commonwealth. 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. We’ve sadly already received reports of fatalities that we are working to confirm, and we need everyone to stay alert and do what’s needed to keep each other safe,” Beshear said.
Beshear’s state of emergency includes many orders and directives, including that the Division of Emergency Management shall execute the Kentucky Emergency Operations Plan, and that the Kentucky Finance and Administrative Cabinet is directly ordered to provide assistance with incident and disaster resource management when necessary.
Beshear also released additional resources for residents to utilize during this time. For up-to-date roadway conditions, residents can visit the Team Kentucky Transportation Cabinet website.
