- Winter storms over the weekend caused widespread flooding and power outages in Kentucky, increasing the death toll to 14. The majority of deaths have been linked to the flooding.
- Kentucky’s dispatch system received thousands of calls for help as rising waters left people stranded or trapped.
- Following a disaster declaration by Gov. Andy Beshear, FEMA began coordinating relief within the state.
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Winter storms swept through the nation over the weekend, leaving flood-stricken Kentucky without power and a death toll attributed to the weather events that continues to climb. The state’s death toll now sits at 14, the majority of which are a result of widespread flooding across the state.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday, Feb. 18, said that two more people, most likely experiencing homelessness, died from hypothermia.
Beshear urged residents to remain vigilant as dangerous weather conditions continue to affect communities. He said, “That should tell all of us that the weather conditions are as dangerous as that water is.”
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State responds to mounting crisis
On Saturday, Feb. 15, Kentucky’s dispatch system fielded nearly 10,000 calls for assistance, with many residents stranded on washed-out roads or trapped in rising water. The Kentucky National Guard, alongside state police, conducted more than 800 response missions, evacuating 296 people in the process.
In the aftermath of the storm, Beshear noted significant damage to homes and businesses.
With additional storms forecasted, the state’s response efforts are now shifting to removing debris, clearing roads and delivering supplies to impacted communities. Beshear also urged residents to stay home, as arctic temperatures will likely complicate the recovery process.
Relief efforts underway across Kentucky
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun coordinating relief efforts in Kentucky after the governor declared a disaster emergency. The state has crews on standby to clear highways blocked by standing water, but snowplows cannot reach certain areas due to the flooding.
While most communities are still powered, over 1,500 homes remain without electricity.
As the storm system moves east, the National Weather Service has issued winter weather alerts for millions nationwide, from Kansas to North Carolina. The storm is expected to bring heavy winds and snow, further complicating recovery efforts.
