Eight people are confirmed dead in Kentucky as historic flooding continues to affect thousands who remain without power. Governor Andy Beshear described the disaster as one of the most devastating in the state’s history, delivering updates on Thursday from his formal briefing in the United States. The eight reported fatalities were announced in a message on his official Facebook page, accompanied by a video, with authorities warning the toll could rise in the hours ahead.
Beshear cautioned that the death count could move into double digits, aligning with earlier forecasts as additional rainfall looms. He noted that although crews would be bringing in electricity from outside the area, several communities would continue to face outages and have limited access to the grid for an extended period.
The governor also disclosed that state officials recorded more than 25,000 power outages across Kentucky, with rapid repairs already underway. He described the situation as an ongoing natural disaster and warned that heavy rains would persist in various sectors of the state, with anticipated accumulations of two to three inches (roughly 5 to 7 centimeters) tonight in certain locales.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responders are slated to begin assessments and support in the affected regions on Thursday. Beshear said he would be meeting with White House officials to outline the state’s needs and secure federal assistance as the crisis unfolds.
To coordinate relief efforts, Beshear declared a state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard to assist with rescues and disaster response. He described the event as one of the worst floodings in Kentucky’s history and warned that many homes have suffered extensive damage, with more structures possibly compromised as waters remain high in affected areas.
Reports from the weather services and local media indicate that water levels have risen dramatically in several communities, with some homes inundated up to the rooftops and roads closed as debris and fallen trees block routes. In eastern Kentucky, residents were observed awaiting rescue as crews worked to reach those stranded on elevated structures. The scale of the flooding has complicated rescue operations and underscored the need for coordinated national and local response.
In Jackson and surrounding regions, rainfall totals reached as high as six inches (about 15 centimeters) since Wednesday night, according to local outlets. The impact spans multiple counties, challenging utility crews, sheltering operations, and emergency services as the weather pattern remains unsettled and unpredictable. Authorities stress the importance of staying informed through official channels and heeding evacuation or shelter-in-place orders as conditions evolve.