Governor Andy Beshear announced that 11 Kentuckians have been declared deceased so far in connection to recent storms at Monday’s severe weather update.
Ahead of the storm, Beshear declared a state of emergency and says right now search and rescue efforts are underway. He advises folks to not drive through standing water or barricades to avoid creating additional emergency situations for first responders.
To aid in those efforts, Federal Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams from Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee are currently working in the state.
On Sunday, nine weather related deaths were confirmed, but since then a man from Hardin County and a man from Floyd County has been pronounced deceased.
Between Saturday and Sunday, around six inches of rain fell across Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties and Beshear says all of Kentucky is still being impacted by standing water.
While areas are still flooded, Beshear says from Tuesday to Wednesday a majority of the state is set to receive some snowfall and temperatures are expected to plunge which can cause flooded areas to freeze.
The National Weather Service in Paducah has declared a winter storm warning for a majority of counties in west Kentucky, including Christian, Todd and Trigg Counties, from noon Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The weather service expects between three-to-six inches of snow to accumulate.
On Sunday, around 39,000 customers across the state were reportedly without power and Beshear says as of Monday that number has dropped to around 14,000 customers that are still without power. Then around 17,000 customers are without running water. Kentucky State Parks are currently being used to shelter those displaced by the weather.
Despite being in the emergency phase, Beshear says they have established the Team Kentucky Storm Relief fund to help those impacted by the weekend’s severe weather. The funds donated will also go toward the funeral costs of those who died because of the storm.
More information about the fund is available at teamkystormrelieffund.ky.gov.