(WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that much of Kentucky is facing dangerous flooding after some areas saw up to 8 inches of rain, and he plans to request federal help as search-and-rescue efforts continue.
Beshear said the flooding has killed four people.
“This flooding has devastated so many communities across our state and taken the lives of four children of God, gone too soon,” Beshear said. “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.”
Beshear declared a state of emergency Saturday. He said 18 local governments have also declared emergencies: Bullitt, Clinton, Cumberland, Garrard, Grayson, Jackson, Jessamine, Madison, Meade, Mercer, Metcalf, Spencer and Wayne counties, plus the cities of Albany, Brandenburg, Burkesville, McKee and Muldraugh.
Beshear also signed an emergency order allowing pharmacies in impacted areas to issue emergency refills.
State officials reported these updates Sunday:
- More than 63 water rescues and evacuations have been conducted.
- Mutual aid has included multiple fire departments and agencies, including Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky State Police Air Support and Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue.
- Seventeen households are sheltering in Madison County.
- About 320 homes in Madison County are without water.
- Many roads are closed statewide. Drivers can check conditions at GoKy.Ky.gov.
Beshear urged residents to keep 911 lines open for emergencies. For non-life-threatening help, he said Kentuckians can call the State Warning Point at 1-800-255-2587.
He also said Kentucky’s price gouging laws are in effect under the emergency declaration. Consumers can report suspected price gouging to the state attorney general’s office.