Trump signs emergency declaration as much of KY under flood warning after intense rainfall
President Donald Trump signed an order Friday declaring a state of emergency for Kentucky as rain continued to pound much of the state.
The presidential declaration allows the state to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding.
It also authorizes FEMA to provide assistance as the state grapples with multiple days of heavy rains that have inundated much of Western and Central Kentucky. The rainfall is expected to continue throughout the weekend.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” according to a news release announcing the declaration.
The declaration applies to all 120 counties in Kentucky.
Much of Kentucky remains under a flood warning. And rain is expected to continue for the next two days, worsening conditions across the state.
In a briefing Friday at 3 p.m., Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear thanked Trump for approving the emergency declaration, and he and other officials cautioned Kentucky residents to remain vigilant for flooding and severe weather.
The greatest potential for flooding is west of Interstate 65, but many other areas of the state remain under flood and flash-flood warnings.
“Everyone should know this is potentially life-threatening,” Beshear said.
Beshear said many flooding deaths occur because people wait to evacuate before waters rise, or they drive into flooded areas.
Officials said there had been several cases Friday in which rescue crews had to help people out of vehicles stranded in high water, and they warned strongly against driving around a barricade or into standing water on a road.
State Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said there had been reports of people moving barricades on flooded roads to try to drive through.
“Don’t ever do that,” he said.
Eric Gibson, director of Kentucky Emergency Management, said that with more rain expected late Friday and again on Saturday, the potential for problems from the storm system could persist for days.
“There’s a lot of more rain to come,” Gibson said. “We expect this to be a long-duration event.”
Gray said that more than 300 roads were closed statewide Friday afternoon, most by high water but some by mud and rock slides.
In Franklin County a boy was swept away by flood waters and found dead a couple hours later. Local officials said the boy was walking to a school bus stop when the incident happened.
In Fayette County, just before 4 a.m., a trained weather spotter saw water flowing at Delong Road and Armstrong Mill Road, according to the National Weather Service. Emily Fay with Lexington Emergency Management reported the following road closures due to high water in Fayette County:
- Military Pike at James Lane.
- Lemons Mill Pike at Huffman Mill Pike.
- Bowman Mill Rd at Old Harrodsburg Rd.
- Jacks Creek Pike past the Kentucky River Pkwy.
- The Kentucky River Parkway.
- Highwater Lane off Dry Branch Road.
Fayette County’sflood warning is expected to last until 9 p.m. Friday.
Several other counties are included in the warning, and flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring, the NWS said.
A flash flood warning remains in effect for some counties through Friday morning.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7, which covers Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford counties, reported several road closures in its coverage area, particularly in Clark and Montgomery counties.
Western Kentucky, which also saw damage from storms and at least one tornado Wednesday evening, will see potential “life-threatening” flash flooding Friday, NWS said. Since Wednesday morning, the area has gotten between 3 to 9 inches of rain, with the heaviest rainfall totals in the Mayfield to Hopkinsville areas.
Central Kentucky has seen about 4 inches of rain, and another 3-4 inches is possible before the weekend is over.
As of 11:45 a.m. one waterway gauge in Kentucky was reporting major flooding. The South Fork Little River in Hopkinsville had tripled in depth to about 21 feet since Thursday morning, according to the NWS.
Several other gauges were reporting moderate flooding while many more are forecasted to have major and moderate flooding.
Water rescues have been reported in Casey, Jefferson, Johnson and Taylor counties.
In Casey County officials rescued a semi-truck trapped in high water on Dry Ridge Road, according to the NWS.
Two water rescues happened in Jefferson County — one at New Cut and West Manslick roads, and another at Grade Lane near Melton Avenue, according to the NWS. More water rescues have also happened in Anderson and Green counties.
In Johnson County officials rescued six people from homes that were surrounded by water in the Van Lear community, according to the W.R. Castle Fire-Rescue Squad.
High water also closed multiple roads in Madison County, including Avawam Drive near Lexington Road and Interstate 75, Dreyfus Road near Gravel Lick Road, according to the NWS.
There were several reports of flooding in Christian County, according to the NWS. Residents on and near Bell Street are being evacuated due to rising water, and the roof of a building on East 14th Street collapsed due to heavy rainfall.
The Christian County Justice Center parking lot is also flooded, according to the NWS.
People at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup County are evacuating due to expected flooding at park’s entry and exit roads, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
How much longer is it going to rain?
On and off rain is expected to continue through Sunday.
The most serious flooding risk is Saturday, as many Western and Central Kentucky counties will be under a high or moderate risk of flooding, according to the NWS. Lexington will be under a moderate risk while eastern Kentucky will be under a slight or marginal risk.
Flooding chances are expected to taper off Sunday.
There will also be chances for more severe weather on Friday and Saturday. The greatest chances for severe weather are Friday evening, and there are chances of damaging wind gusts, large hail and brief tornadoes west of Interstate 65.
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
