Kentucky leaders confirm 4 fatalities in flooding, warn of dangerous night ahead

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Gov. Andy Beshear and other Kentucky leaders gave an update Monday morning concerning the ongoing historic flooding.

Beshear confirmed that two lives had been lost as a result of this flooding. On Saturday in Nelson County, a 74-year-old woman was confirmed dead after being submerged while trapped in her vehicle. A 9-year-old died Friday after floodwaters swept him up while he was heading to the bus stop.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, troopers announced that the body of 27-year-old Lee Chandler,

who was swept away by floodwaters, had been recovered.

Then around 3:50 p.m., Beshear announced the death of a 65-year-old Trigg County man, for which the circumstances aren’t clear at this time. Bringing the death toll to four.

Frankfort Mayor, Layne Wilkerson, confirmed that the river crested at a level just shy of the 1978 record. He also confirmed that, in the interest of safety, the dusk-till-dawn curfew will be extended into Tuesday.

Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson confirmed that Kentucky has water and bottled water available to be distributed to counties that are struggling.

Kentucky’s transportation director, Jim Gray, confirmed that, as of 8 a.m. on Monday, 538 state roads are still underwater or closed.

He noted that, in February, Kentucky experienced a peak of 350 road closures.

Gibson later confirmed that there are an estimated 140 swift water rescues from appointed federal and state teams.

Beshear warned Kentuckians that, due to the freeze warning Monday night, there is a heightened risk of hypothermia. He advised Kentuckians to stay dry and find someplace safe to go so that on Tuesday, they can focus on “digging out and mucking out.”

During the presser, Beshear thanked the response of President Trump and FEMA as he said the Trump administration has “given us everything we need. His administration has been very responsive, and for that, I’m grateful.”

He confirmed that Kentucky would be applying for individual and public assistance from FEMA after the flooding.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates.