KY death toll rises to 12: Man killed after car was swept off road in Scott County

The death toll associated with the weekend’s devastating floods jumped to 12 Monday evening.

A 65-year-old Harrison County man was killed after his vehicle was swept off KY 35 outside of Sadieville in Scott County, according to county officials.

Scott County Coroner Mark Sutton told the Herald-Leader Paul Joseph Licato’s vehicle was found on the side of the road shortly after 1 p.m. Monday. He was traveling toward Sadieville at the time his vehicle was likely swept away by flood waters.

Licato, who was from Cynthiana, is at least the 12th person to die in the floods and storms that resulted in widespread flooding throughout Kentucky, Sutton said.

In a social media post at 6:35 p.m. Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear said, “I’ve got more tough news. The death toll in Kentucky has now risen to 12. We must remember, this isn’t just a number — these are Kentuckians who will be missed by their families and loved ones.

“Please pray for our commonwealth and our neighbors who have lost people they love.”

Three of the victims were in Pike County. Three victims were in Hart County. Clay, Floyd, Hardin, Nelson, Washington counties each had one victim.

This story was originally published February 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM.

Beth Musgrave

Lexington Herald-Leader

Beth Musgrave has covered government and politics for the Herald-Leader for more than a decade. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has worked as a reporter in Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Washington D.C. Support my work with a digital subscription