Death toll from severe flooding across Kentucky believed to be at 5, officials say
An additional person — a 50-year-old Bullitt County man — has died in connection to flooding that occurred across Kentucky for the last several days, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday afternoon.
The latest reports bring the death toll to five.
“This has been a tough few days. Let’s show everyone hurting that we love them and we’re there for them,” Beshear said.
Two deaths were announced Monday, a a 27-year-old McCracken County man and a 65-year-old Trigg County man.
State police said Tuesday a medical condition caused the death of a man whose body was found floating in floodwaters in Pendleton County, and that he did not drown.
The storm system, which began Wednesday, dumped rain across the state for several days, swelling waterways, covering roads and leading to evacuations.
“Kentucky, we have some sad news to share,” Beshear said in a Facebook post.
“We’ve had two more deaths related to flooding, bringing our total to four. Today we’re announcing the deaths of a 27-year-old McCracken County man and a 65-year-old Trigg County man, each one a child of God. Please join Britainy and me as we pray (for )their families.”
McCracken County Coroner Amanda Melton said Lee Chandler, 27, of LaCenter, was found about 1 p.m. Monday in the waterways of the county near the Ballard County line. Melton said Chandler was in a boat in a flooded field.
Kentucky State Police had announced the death of Chandler earlier Monday afternoon. Officials had been searching for him after he was last seen Sunday afternoon trying to retrieve his boat.
The Trigg County coroner’s office identified the other latest victim as David Duncan.
On Friday, a 9-year-old boy died when he was swept away by floodwaters in Frankfort as he walked to his bus stop, and Saturday, the body of a 74-year-old woman was found submerged in a vehicle in Nelson County.
State police said in a news release Monday that they were conducting a death investigation after someone spotted a body wearing a life jacket in floodwaters near Butler in Pendleton County.
The Pendleton County Search and Rescue Team recovered the body of Robert E. Singleton, 66, of Butler, according to a news release.
Local officials ordered evacuations in Butler and Falmouth, the Pendleton County seat, on Saturday as the Licking River rose.
State police said Tuesday that an autopsy showed Singleton died as a result of a medical condition.
Rob Braun, spokesman for Pendleton County Emergency Management, had said earlier in the day said that Singleton’s death was believed to be related to the flood.
Singleton was an environmentalist who often did river cleanups around Pendleton County. His body was found on the bank of the river with his canoe nearby, Braun said.
This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM.