Gov. Beshear announces death toll from floods reaches six

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on the severe weather and flooding that has hit across the commonwealth.

Gov. Beshear said that the number of deaths due to floodwaters has increased to six. Officials state the governor announced the death of a Bullitt County man and a Carroll County man on social media Wednesday, and it was confirmed the next day.

“River and creek levels have gone down, but let’s remember that this is still a dangerous threat. We don’t want to lose anyone else to floodwaters,” said Gov. Beshear. “That means everyone needs to continue to take the threat seriously and never drive through standing water.”

Over 70 Kentucky counties have declared a state of emergency.

Officials say as of 9 a.m. on Thursday, 353 state roadways were closed, 341 by high water and 12 by mud or rockslides. That number is down from more than 550 roads closed at the peak time of the flooding.

Officials also state not all rivers have crested and state highway crews continue to place barricades, help people detour around high water and clear roads of mudslides and debris while making repairs where possible.