Updated: Almost $200K raised to cover funeral expenses for Kentucky flood victims
Nearly $200,000 has been raised to pay for funerals for victims of flooding and winter weather in Kentucky over the past week.
And Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a news conference Wednesday morning the state is organizing a blood drive to provide additional aid for victims and recovery efforts.
The blood drive will be held Monday, Feb. 24, at the State Capitol in Frankfort. Anyone interested in signing up for the blood drive can do so at the governor’s website.
“We encourage Frankfort residents and state employees to sign up for appointments from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda,” Beshear said.
The funeral funds are being collected by the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. Donations doubled between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning and increased by another by $80,000 Thursday morning, Beshear said.
The total amount of money raised now stands at $199,280 from 2,280 donors. Beshear said the fund is likely large enough to cover funerals for all the victims. Any leftover funds will be used to provide essential needs and potential long-term rebuilding.
All money donated to the fund goes directly to storm victims, with covering funeral costs being the highest priority.
Beshear said CSX donated $20,000, and former University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari has pledged a donation as well.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims in Eastern Kentucky. Many friends from the area have been sending pictures and sharing the story,” Calipari said on X. “So sad to see the devastation in communities that were already trying to recover from the last natural disaster. My heart breaks for the 14 people who lost their lives, may they rest in peace.”
Also on Wednesday, Kentucky REALTORS announced $150,000 in funding to help people whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the recent flooding.
The organization urged people affected by the flooding to submit applications for assistance to kyrelators.com/relief by April 30.
“As storms continue across the state, we want to ensure our communities have the support they need to address storm damage, and that our friends and neighbors have a safe place to call home,” Barb Curtis, President of Kentucky REALTORS, said in a release.
The death toll still stands at 14 from the storms, according to Beshear. Eleven of the victims died from the floods while two Jefferson County residents died of hypothermia. One victim died in a car crash in Nelson County before the rainfall.
No one is believed to still be missing, Beshear said.
“Our hope is we won’t lose anybody else, but remember, these are 14 children of God that aren’t with us anymore, and a lot of families are hurting,” Beshear said.
UK Athletics hosting flood relief drive
University of Kentucky Athletics will also host a flood relief drive before Wednesday’s men’s basketball game against Vanderbilt. There will be a drop-off location on High Street between the Hyatt and Rupp Arena where people can donate essential supplies, such as non-perishable foods, paper goods, cleaning supplies and bottled water.
The drop-off location will be open from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Supplies can also be dropped off at the Gatton Student Center at 160 Avenue of Champions and UK Chandler Hospital at 1000 S Limestone.
FEMA individual assistance application still ongoing
Beshear applied for individual FEMA assistance Tuesday, and the application is still being reviewed. Emergency Management officials estimate that 18,500 properties were damaged by the storms.
The damage totals are still being assessed and people are encouraged to report their damage.
“If it is granted, it will open immediate need assistance as well as cleaning and sanitizing money, and then a separate application process where if we get individual assistance and if individuals can prove damages, they can secure a grant aware up to $43,600,” Beshear said.
All members of Kentucky’s Congressional delegation signed a letter urging President Donald Trump to approve Beshear’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration.
Fayette County residents are encouraged to submit their damage reports at Survey123. A description of the damage caused by the weather and up to three pictures are required for the application.
Other updates on flood recovery
There are still 220 state and federal roads closed in Kentucky as of 10 a.m., according to Beshear. Many of the roads are closed because of high water, while some others are closed from mudslides and rockslides.
Many other county roads are closed as well, Beshear said.
“We’re working really hard to get them open,” Beshear said.
While conducting search & rescue operations, the aircraft branch of Kentucky State Police found a dock connected to 15 boats that had broken away and washed down the Kentucky River. Beshear said officials worked with ground personnel to secure the dock before it collided with a bridge.
There are still 215 people sheltered at the Jenny Wiley, Natural Bridge, Buckhorn and Cumberland Falls State Parks. Beshear said people aren’t able to leave Jenny Wiley State Park because of high water.
People who don’t have access to power are encouraged to seek shelter or someplace warm as the temperatures remain low. People are encouraged to contact their local emergency management agency for information about shelters.
Temperatures are expected to be bitterly cold Thursday and Friday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory in effect from 1 a.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. Thursday.
Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures for a prolonged period of time, according to the NWS.
This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM.
