Four people died in flash flooding across Kentucky on Saturday after thunderstorms dumped up to 7 inches of rain across parts of the state, Gov. Andy Beshear said, as he declared a state of emergency and warned residents to stay off roads.
Beshear said in a social media post that three people died in Madison County and one person died in Jackson County as a result of the flooding. “Please join Britainy and me as we pray for their families during this difficult time,” Beshear said.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings Saturday for parts of Kentucky and Indiana, where the agency said between 4 and 10 inches of rain had already fallen in some parts of southwestern Indiana by late afternoon, with more possible.
“This is a serious flooding event, where teams have already had to conduct multiple water rescues from vehicles and homes across the commonwealth,” Beshear said in a statement. “As more heavy rain continues through late tonight, we need folks to remain alert and to avoid driving, especially after dark when there is limited visibility.”
Beshear declared the state of emergency on Saturday, saying the intense rainfall was expected to continue until 11 p.m. ET. His office said up to 7 inches of rain was expected in parts of the state through the late evening.
In Bullitt County, just outside Louisville, emergency management officials asked residents of a rural road to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide occurred at a dam embankment. Officials said the dam was holding and there was no indication of imminent failure. The area had received about 3 inches of rain over the past two days, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service continued flash flood warnings for parts of Kentucky and Indiana as of Saturday evening, with the agency warning of ongoing flood risks in areas that had already received heavy rainfall.