Two additional deaths reported from June flooding, governor says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kentucky governor Andy Beshear confirmed the flood death toll has risen to six.
- New flood-related deaths were reported in Hardin and Jefferson counties.
- Beshear said he has submitted a request to FEMA and expects approval.
Two additional deaths have been reported in last month’s devastating flooding, raising the death toll in Kentucky to six, Gov. Andy Beshear said.
The new deaths were reported out of Hardin and Jefferson counties. Beshear did not provide the victims’ identities.
“Please join Britainy and me as we pray for their families during this difficult time,” Beshear said in a post on X.
The previously reported deaths happened in Jackson and Madison counties — three in Madison and one in Jackson.
Jackson County coroner Conley Tyra said the victim died in a crash which was not caused by the weather, but Beshear’s office responded by saying the Department of Public Health determined floodwaters contributed to the crash and ruled the death was flood related.
Torrential rain showers that lasted multiple days brought as much as 10 inches of rain to some areas of the state at the end of June, resulting in major flooding. Beshear previously said Madison County got hit the hardest, and more people could have died if it weren’t for the efforts of first responders.
Beshear visited Cumberland and Madison counties last week to get a better understanding of how much damage there was from the flood before submitting a request for financial aid to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said he expects the request to be a “slam dunk.”
“I’m hopeful that they will be on the other line and willing to listen,” Beshear previously said. “Our people have been impacted pretty hard. This ought to be an easy decision for them.”
While the request for federal assistance is ongoing, Beshear encouraged victims to work with their local emergency managers to get immediate help. Team Kentucky officials have also created an unmet needs survey and damage reporting tool for residents impacted by the flood.
