logo
Governor says death toll climbs to 11 due to flooding

Governor says death toll climbs to 11 due to flooding

Yahoo17-02-2025

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor Andy Beshear says the entire state of Kentucky was affected by 'historic' flooding, and the death toll has climbed to 11.
'Kentucky, we are still in the search-and-rescue phase as this deadly storm system continues to affect much of our commonwealth,' Gov. Beshear said. 'Please continue to stay safe and check in on any vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors.'
Gov. Beshear said that, as of 9 a.m. Monday, there were 11 confirmed deaths connected to the severe weather. None of these occurred in western Kentucky. The fatalities include:
Motor vehicle-related deaths
Men in Hart and Nelson counties
Floodwater-related deaths
A man in Clay County
A woman and a child in Hart County
Three men in Pike County
A woman in Washington County
A man in Hardin County
A man in Floyd County
Officials say ahead of the storm, the Governor declared a state of emergency. On Saturday, Gov. Beshear requested, and President Donald Trump granted, an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky. Gov. Beshear also launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund.
Gov. Beshear shares severe weather update after 8 confirmed deaths in Kentucky
In terms of western Kentucky, Gov. Beshear and other officials gave the following information:
Weather conditions
One of the basins expected to have the heaviest impacts include the Green River.
Another snowstorm is forecast for Tuesday night through Wednesday, with 2 to 6 inches of snow expected and the highest totals in western Kentucky.
Operation teams
Federal urban search and rescue (USAR) Teams from Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee are engaged.
Power outages
As of 10:20 a.m. Monday, a reported 14,416 customers were without power.
Water outages
As of 8 a.m. Monday, 17,245 customers were without water, and 28,070 customers were under Boil Water Advisories.
Seven wastewater systems were not operational, and 33 wastewater systems were under limited operation.
Kentucky National Guard
Currently, 175 soldiers and airmen are engaged in operations, including four from the Indiana Guard.
Kentucky State Police
Since the morning of February 15, KSP telecommunicators have answered more than 6,600 calls for service. KSP personnel continue to assist with water rescues and welfare checks in the affected areas.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Secretary Gray said roads were affected by the storm in nearly all 120 Kentucky counties.
There are 344 state highway closures from flooding, 14 from mudslides and three from rockslides.
Emergency shelters
As of 8 a.m. Monday, 12 emergency shelters were helping those affected by the storms. Two of these are at Henderson County Public Library and The Harbor House of Men.
Emergency prescription refills
Gov. Beshear signed an executive order allowing Kentucky pharmacists to dispense emergency 30-day refills for any non-controlled medication.
Rapid Needs Assessment
If anyone has immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665. Some of these needs include:
Power is out or inconsistent
No heat or very little heat
Individuals with medical needs or disabilities
No food or unable to cook
No or very little drinking water
Unable to leave house due to weather and no transportation
Phone issues
Unable to leave vehicle
Checking on a loved one
Drivers are urged to go here to check traffic conditions before traveling.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

FEMA continues sending aid to Kentuckians impacted by April storms
FEMA continues sending aid to Kentuckians impacted by April storms

Yahoo

time7 hours ago

  • Yahoo

FEMA continues sending aid to Kentuckians impacted by April storms

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — FEMA has continued to approve housing and other types of assistance for Kentuckians impacted by April and May's severe weather. FEMA officials say over $22,000,000 has been approved for nearly 3,000 residents impacted by severe storms in April. Over $1,000,000 has been approved for those effected by May's tornadoes. Officials say applicants who register for FEMA assistance by June 23 may be considered for Serious Needs Assistance. Serious Needs Assistance is a one-time payment per household. To see if you are eligible for FEMA assistance, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

FEMA assistance extended for Kentuckians affected by April storms
FEMA assistance extended for Kentuckians affected by April storms

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

FEMA assistance extended for Kentuckians affected by April storms

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – FEMA has extended the eligibility period for Serious Needs Assistance for an additional 30 days for those who were impacted by the April severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Officials say applicants who register for FEMA assistance by June 23 may be considered for Serious Needs Assistance. Serious Needs Assistance is a one-time payment per household. Immediate or serious needs assistance may provide lifesaving and life-sustaining items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation. FEMA says people may be eligible for Serious Needs Assistance if: They can complete a FEMA application. FEMA can confirm their identity. The home where the person lives most of the year is in a declared disaster area. FEMA confirms the disaster damage from an inspection or documents the person sends. They tell FEMA they are displaced, need shelter or have other emergency costs due to the disaster on their application They apply for FEMA assistance while Serious Needs Assistance is available. Deadline to apply for disaster relief extended for Kentucky counties Officials note there are several ways to apply for FEMA assistance: Online Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center close by, visit this website, or text 'DRC' along with a zip code to 43362. Use the FEMA mobile app. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. It is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Help is available in many languages. If anyone uses a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. FEMA works with every household on a case-by-case basis. Officials say disaster assistance is not a substitute for insurance and is not intended to compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Deadly Tornado's Impact on Kentucky So Big It's Visible From Space
Deadly Tornado's Impact on Kentucky So Big It's Visible From Space

Newsweek

time2 days ago

  • Newsweek

Deadly Tornado's Impact on Kentucky So Big It's Visible From Space

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The path of a recent tornado that tore across the state of Kentucky has been photographed from above, revealing the massive scar it left across the land. On May 16, a deadly tornado ravaged three counties in Kentucky, taking 20 lives, destroying hundreds of houses and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake just over 55 miles long and up to a mile wide. The image of the devastation was captured the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) instrument aboard NASA's Landsat 9 Earth-imaging satellite. The track of the twister was made particularly clear in the images as it passed through the Daniel Boone National Forest, where it ripped up trees in its path. The tornado's track, taking by the NASA Earth Observatory using Landsat data from the US Geological Survey. The tornado's track, taking by the NASA Earth Observatory using Landsat data from the US Geological Survey. Wanmei Liang/NASA Earth Observatory/ Landsat According to NASA and the National Weather Service (NWS), the tornado was one of the strongest ever recorded in the area, peaking at a four on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale. This is the second-highest ranking on the scale, with three-second gusts between 166 to 200 miles per hour. In fact, the tornado in question was estimated to have reached speeds as high as 170 miles per hour. The Kentucky tornado was part of a severe weather outbreak over several days which hit multiple states, including Alabama, Kansas, Missouri and Virginia. At least 20 people were killed in Kentucky alone, with the office of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reporting that 17 people died in Laurel County, one in McCracken County, one in Pulaski County and one in Russell County. Read more Violent tornadoes leave at least 27 dead in multiple states: What to know Violent tornadoes leave at least 27 dead in multiple states: What to know "I promise that we will be there for our people until every home and every life is rebuilt. And I want to thank all our heroic first responders for the work they've done over the past few days," Beshear said in a statement. "This is another incredibly tough time for Kentucky. And it's another reminder that life is short and it's our duty to be kind and do good. As always—we will get through this together." A 2024 study on the National Land Cover Database (which is based on Landsat observations) has found that tornado damage to forests in the southeastern U.S. is on the rise, despite a slight decrease in tornado activity across the states as a whole. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about tornados? Let us know via science@ Reference Munro, H. L., Loehle, C., Bullock, B. P., Johnson, D. M., Vogt, J. T., & Gandhi, K. J. K. (2024). Tornado damage in forest ecosystems of the United States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 350.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store