Kentucky floods: 15 dead as state moves to ‘stabilization phase’ amid arctic lows

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — State officials addressed the public Thursday morning amid a state of emergency in Kentucky as weather-related hazards have taken the lives of 15 people.

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray and leaders from Kentucky Emergency Management and FEMA. The snow overnight left dangerous driving conditions across the state’s roads for the second day in a row.

The weather-related death toll officially increased on Thursday to 15 people, with one person dying in Livingston County.

Transportation officials said 192 state and federal roads remain closed due to hazardous conditions. A full map of roads affected by flooding and winter weather in Kentucky can be viewed on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) website.

Beshear said that with an ongoing disaster in eastern Kentucky, he wanted to share the good news about a housing project just outside of Hazard. The $6 million grant from the Housing Development Alliance is expected to build hundreds of new homes in Perry County. Survivors of the 2022 flooding as well as the 2025 floods will be eligible for the homes built.

All flood survivors in Kentucky are invited to go to the Housing Can’t Wait website to fill out forms for emergency housing.

Beshear announced that on Friday he will go to a National Governor’s Association meeting at the White House to speak with national officials and bring the pleas of Kentuckians to Washington, D.C.

“This administration has been working really well with us during this natural disaster,” Beshear said. “This is just the next step I need from them and I look forward to talking with them directly.”

To donate to people affected by the flooding, visit the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund at teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov. Beshear said the first use of the fund is to pay for funerals so families don’t have to wait to be reimbursed.

Anyone facing immediate needs is asked to fill out the rapid needs form at KYEM.KY.gov or by calling (502) 607-6665. Those in a life-threatening situation or emergency are urged to call 911.