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Kentucky Declares State of Emergency After Deadly Flash Floods

The declaration frees state resources to back search and rescue, emergency evacuations, pharmacy emergency refills, damage surveys, a likely federal aid request.

Overview

  • Slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped roughly 6 to 7 inches of rain Saturday triggered rapid flash flooding across central and western Kentucky and swept homes and roads.
  • Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed four flood-related deaths with three in Madison County and one in Jackson County and said search and rescue operations and evacuations are ongoing.
  • State and local teams have completed dozens of water rescues, deployed five search-and-rescue teams and used high-axle vehicles to reach inundated neighborhoods.
  • Widespread infrastructure damage has left at least a dozen state roads impassable, washed out county bridges and prompted precautionary evacuations near a dam embankment in Bullitt County.
  • Officials have activated price‑gouging rules and emergency pharmacy refill orders while beginning statewide damage surveys that will guide a request for federal assistance.