Four dead in Kentucky flash floods; state of emergency declared

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that four people have died due to flash floods caused by thunderstorms that dumped up to 7 inches (18 cm) of rain on the state. In a social media post, Beshear said three victims were from Madison County and one from Jackson County. "Please join Britainy and me as we pray for their families during this difficult time," he wrote.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning on Saturday for parts of Kentucky and Indiana. By late Saturday, parts of southwestern Indiana had already received between 4 and 10 inches of rain, with more possible.

Beshear declared a state of emergency on Saturday, stating the intense rainfall was expected to continue until 11 p.m. ET. "This is a serious flooding event, where teams have already had to conduct multiple water rescues from vehicles and homes across the commonwealth," he said. He urged residents to remain alert and avoid driving, especially after dark when visibility is limited.

In northwestern Kentucky, just outside Louisville, Bullitt County emergency management officials asked residents of a rural road to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide at a dam embankment. The dam was holding and there was no indication of imminent failure. According to the National Weather Service, the area saw about 3 inches of rain in the past two days.