Widespread flooding across Kentucky has left at least four dead Saturday, prompting dozens of rescues after heavy rains wiped out bridges and inundated roads, with more significant rainfall on the way.
Search and rescue efforts continue as Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed three people died in Madison County and one in Jackson County. Earlier in the day, Beshear said one motorist was killed after being swept away by flash flooding.
The governor declared a state of emergency to deploy more resources as six to seven inches of rain deluged some areas of the state. A second round of rainfall will ramp up as the evening goes on, Beshear said, as he urged people to be cautious and avoid unnecessary driving.
“When it gets dark, it’s going to get even worse. So please, do not drive after dark if you can avoid it,” Beshear said.
The severe weather event is the latest in a history of catastrophic flooding in Kentucky, including deadly flash floods in early 2025 when more than a month’s worth of rain deluged much of the state in less than 24 hours. Dozens of people in Kentucky were killed in 2022 when unprecedented flooding inundated houses and swept away some from their foundations.
