Latest news with #KentuckyNationalGuard
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear, Laurel County law enforcement work to prevent post-storm looting
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Following deadly storms in the area, state leaders said during a press conference on Saturday that looting in areas impacted by a deadly storm system would lead to an arrest and prosecution. 'That is the lowest of the low crimes,' Beshear said. 'These people have been through enough. Do not do it.' Just before 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, the London Police Department (LPD) posted on social media that officers will be stationed within the city limits to protect residents who have already lost loved ones and homes. 'The London Police Department wants to stress that there will be Zero Tolerance for looting during this critical time,' officers wrote. Gov. Beshear, Laurel County law enforcement work to prevent post-storm looting London park closed after 'direct hit' by tornado 3 taken to hospital after Somerset highway crash State police announced around 8:45 p.m. on Saturday that after rescuing citizens trapped by storms and taking injured victims to the hospital, troopers would remain stationed in areas impacted by the storms to prevent looting. Beshear said during a press conference that 70 soldiers and airmen with the Kentucky National Guard had been deployed to augment Kentucky State Police in areas of Laurel County affected by storms to enhance public safety. 'The Guard will continue helping our local communities as long as needed,' Kentucky National Guard officials wrote on Saturday. Corey Elam contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear declares state of emergency in response to severe weather threat
FRANKFORT — Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Friday as a dangerous weather system began moving through Kentucky — prompting widespread concern over potential tornadoes, flooding, hail, and damaging winds. "We need everyone to be really careful and make sure you have weather alerts on, and are at a location where you can seek safety if needed," said Beshear in a statement. Another significant round of weather is projected to come through later tonight. Beshear has activated the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center. Units of the Kentucky National Guard have been placed on standby, and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews and officials are also on alert. Local emergency management leaders across the state have been mobilized to keep residents safe and informed. Kentuckians are urged to monitor local weather updates and check traffic conditions before traveling by visiting For emergency preparedness tips, residents can visit
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Child dies in floodwaters in Frankfort as Kentucky expects still more rain, wind, rising rivers
Christ Community Church in Paducah was heavily damaged by a tornado that struck Wednesday night, part of a series of storms that battered Kentucky and surrounding states. Gov. Andy Beshear said Friday that President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration for the state. (Photo by) A Frankfort boy is dead after being swept away by floodwaters as storm-battered Kentucky braces for more dangerous weather this weekend. In a Friday afternoon news briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear said the child's death while walking to his school bus stop 'sadly underscores just how dangerous the flood waters can be.' 'My heart breaks for the family,' Beshear said while on a Zoom call with journalists Friday afternoon. Frankfort officials said the boy was walking to the school bus stop when he was caught in the water around 6:35 a.m. in the Hickory Hills area. He was recovered around 8:45 a.m. More bad weather — flooding, tornadoes, wind and hail — are expected through Sunday across a wide sweep of the state. 'We need everyone to understand that all water poses risk right now,' Beshear said. 'Take every precaution. That includes never driving through standing water, even if you think you know how deep it is.' Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has approved the state's request for an emergency declaration. 'This is going to give us access to crucial federal support we need to help our people, and I want to thank the president,' Beshear said. 'He has been responsive in every request we've made in a natural disaster, and his people have been supportive, professional and we're grateful for them.' About 3,823 people are without power and 300 roads are closed, a number that Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said will increase. About 300 Kentucky National Guard members are either on weather-releated missions or ready for missions, as needed. Four urban search and rescue teams are ready to search for people, though there are currently no reports of missing Kentuckians, according to Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson. The state has a call center set up for Kentucky Emergency Management: 502-607-6665. 'At best, we're halfway through this,' Gray said Friday afternoon. 'One thing I want to really punctuate is that there are some places and some roads that we are not accustomed to seeing flooding on. Be prepared: it might occur on those roads.' Recovery will take a long time, Gibson said. 'There is a serious flooding event still to come,' he said. 'It's going to be a long-duration event that's going to take several days to see this water recede.' The worst of the multi-day storm is headed for West and Western Kentucky. Paducah is under a flood warning until Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The weather service said counties from Jefferson to Carlisle should brace for more rain, hail, high winds and flooding. 'Severe thunderstorms with the potential for very large hail, strong long-track tornadoes and damaging winds are expected to develop over southeast Missouri early this evening and then spread through southern Illinois and west Kentucky through the remainder of the evening,' the NWS warned Friday. 'The severe threat will diminish with time and eastward extent across the Quad State, especially after midnight.' Louisville is under flood and flash flood warnings through Sunday and the Ohio River is expected to rise, peaking at 68 feet on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. For context, a week prior on April 1, the river was at 24 feet, according to the United States Geological Survey. In response, the city has five 'floodwall-roadway closures' in place 'to protect the city from the rising Ohio River,' according to Mayor Craig Greenberg's office. 'With more heavy rain expected for Saturday, the current forecast is for the Ohio River to rise above 30 feet by early next week, which will likely cause significant flooding in low lying areas near the river and other creeks and streams across Louisville,' Greenberg said in a statement. 'The most important thing residents can do is avoid flood waters. Please sign up for emergency alerts, prepare an emergency plan for your family, and stay informed. Taking basic steps to be prepared can save your life.' Find shelter during the storm. Have a plan to go somewhere safe if you need to. Do not drive through standing water. Never move a barricade meant to keep you out of standing water on the roadway. Keep a flashlight, shoes and cell phone near your bed while you sleep. Make sure your phone is charged and weather alerts are turned on. During a tornado, get as low as possible — the lowest room in the home, under a table. Get under something heavy and sturdy to protect yourself from debris. During a tornado, stay away from windows and doors. Make sure weather alerts and other safety alerts are turned on so you get them on your cell phone. Don't walk through floodwaters. Floodwaters can contain dangerous debris and sewage.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Beshear declares State of Emergency for 4-day weather event
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the first round of severe storms that are expected to last for four days. Officials say the storm is especially concerning for 'far Western Kentucky,' which is going to see potentially 'historic' amounts of rain, and strong winds with the possibility of tornadoes are in the forecast for much of Kentucky. Senator Paul introduces bill to end taxpayer subsidies for EVs Gov. Beshear said 'far Western Kentucky' is facing a severe weather risk at a Level 5, which means there could be widespread severe storms that are intense and long-lived. Across the state there are concerns about tornadoes, hail, flooding and strong winds. Gov. Beshear is urging all Kentuckians to find a safe place to stay Wednesday night. Second location opened for sandbags due to long lines 'Tornadoes are expected, and I know that's tough to hear. And we are most concerned about the area of Western Kentucky that has gotten hit far too much, as well as a wider area of Western Kentucky,' Gov. Beshear said. 'Remember, these can be strong tornadoes, EF-2 and greater. We're really concerned about people's safety, especially in the overnight, because when storms or tornadoes hit while people are asleep, that's sadly when we've lost the most people. So, everybody out there, be really careful.' Gov. Beshear's office says Gov. Beshear activated the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and units of the Kentucky National Guard to stand ready to respond. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials and crews are also on alert, and local emergency management leaders are working to keep Kentuckians everywhere informed. Gov. Beshear also implemented the state's price gouging laws to protect Kentuckians from overpriced goods and services as they clean up and recover from the storm. Consumers should report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rescuing Kentuckians: Those behind flown aircraft, high-axle vehicles
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Valuable equipment it takes to retrieve people stranded in the hardest hit areas comes out of the Kentucky National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Frankfort. Soldiers are flying in and out of the base and have rescued more than 300 Kentuckians and counting who have been stranded by flooding. 'A lot of folks have been relocated to Jenny Wiley State Park,' Kentucky National Guard Commanding General Hal Lamberton said. 'A lot of folks have been relocated to a middle school in Inez, Kentucky; far eastern Kentucky; I think also Martin County.' The weather on Sunday grounded the air rescue teams, making it impossible to get quick help to some people. In some areas with high water, helicopter rescues are the only option. Nelson County man charged in connection with chicken-fighting event Rescuing Kentuckians: Those behind flown aircraft, high-axle vehicles Garrard County teen reported missing 'We literally had in some cases, as we did today, hoist folks up on a hoist that we dropped down from the helicopter; folks clung on to it and were raised up to the helicopter,' Lamberton said. There have been 14 helicopters making rescues, operated by the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana National Guards, and more than 250 soldiers are deployed throughout the state. Those who are not in the air battle the water at ground level. 'Commercial vehicles can't get to somebody; privately owned vehicles can't get to somebody; in some cases, even boats,' Lamberton said. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Not all of the high-axle vehicles have been able to cut through the water. 'Trying to maneuver through some flooded areas had the road give way underneath them, and one vehicle we were able to recover; the other vehicle is still stuck there under the water,' Lamberton said. No matter the type of rescue, communication between state, county, and local governments is key to helping as many people as possible. 'There's mechanisms to be able to call our aircraft in real-time and get them to provide a real-time assessment of a situation,' Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Martin said. Lexington ranked 10th worst large city for football fans: WalletHub Kentucky receives failing grades in tobacco control report Kentucky ranks as 2025's worst state to retire in: WalletHub Officials said within the next 48 hours, they may get asked to go door-to-door knocking, checking on people. The National Guard is essentially in the saving life phase, which will eventually move into life sustainment. This could include debris removal and setting up points of distribution to provide food and resources to those who have been affected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
