Governor urges vigilance as extremely cold temperatures follow deadly flooding, snow
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 19, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on severe winter weather that continues to affect much of the commonwealth.
“The areas hit hardest by flooding are going to get another 3 to 4 inches of snow tonight,” Gov. Beshear said. “And if the snow wasn’t tough enough, it’s cold right now, and it’s going to get dangerously cold tonight into tomorrow. The wind chills across much of Kentucky are going to get down into the single digits or even lower.”
Current Weather Conditions: Overnight storms brought 2 to 8 inches of snow across much of the commonwealth, with Western Kentucky seeing the largest accumulations.
- The storm was passing through Kentucky on Wednesday morning, bringing additional light snow along and west of the Interstate Highway 75 corridor.
- Eastern Kentucky could still see up to 4 inches of snow in some higher elevations near and around Pikeville.
- Rain and snowfall will be followed by very low temperatures Thursday through Friday.
- Windchills on Thursday morning will be dangerously cold.
The Governor also urged Kentuckians to be safe while shoveling snow due to the threat of cardiac arrest. He urged people to take it slow, push the snow instead of lifting it and to drink plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks.
On Friday, ahead of the heavy rains, the Governor declared a state of emergency. On Saturday, Gov. Beshear requested, and President Donald Trump granted, an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky.
Fatalities: The Governor reported the number of fatalities tied to the flooding remained at 14 Kentuckians.
How To Help: The Governor launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. To donate, click here. As of this morning, the fund has raised nearly $120,000, including a generous $20,000 donation from CSX. These dollars will first help pay for each victim’s funeral.
Gov. Beshear also encouraged Kentuckians to sign up to give blood at governor.ky.gov/GiveBlood. He and the First Lady will host a blood drive in the State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, Feb. 24, and encouraged state employees and Frankfort residents to register for appointments here.
Transportation Update: State highway closures: 217, which includes 10 from mudslides and one from rockslides. Roads have been impacted from Paducah to Pikeville. Conditions are changing as roads are reopening, but high water is still affecting travel.
Approximately 2,300 Department of Highways personnel continue work in snowplows to make roads passable today and will remain plowing and treating roads as more snow is expected. Many roads remain snow covered. Limit travel if you can, to give them room to work.
Extreme cold in the coming days will make it difficult for crews to clear roads as salt and other anti-icing materials become less effective. High winds could also create blowing or drifting snow. Flooded roadways could freeze creating additional hazards. It is safest to stay home, if you can. Use caution if you must travel, take it slow, and check GoKY.ky.gov to know before you go.
Kentuckians are also urged to adhere to warning signs and never drive around a barricade. Road crews across the state are continuing to monitor high water, clear slides and debris and assess road damage for repairs as floodwaters recede.
Kentucky National Guard: There are more than 250 Kentucky guardsmen actively responding to the aftermath of the flooding and the winter weather. In response to the floods, guardsmen remain on call to continue responding to search and rescue and high-axle transportation. In areas with standing water in Eastern Kentucky, engineers from the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade are working closely with local officials to assess damages and prepare their teams for the important mission of making roads trafficable again.
Other teams will continue to remove debris and assist with transporting supplies and conducting welfare checks. Specifically in response to the snowfall and freezing temperatures, guardsmen are staging across the commonwealth where they will assist road crews and emergency responders in areas where they are needed most.
Kentucky State Police: Since the morning of Feb. 15, Kentucky State Police (KSP) telecommunicators have answered 12,508 calls for service. As of the evening of Feb. 18, troopers responded to 40 non-injury accidents, three injury accidents and 39 motorist assists. One incident occurred on Interstate Highway 24 near the 36-mile marker in Lyon County involving a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet snowplow. Due to hazardous conditions from the snow-covered roadways, a semitrailer rear-ended the snowplow. No injuries were reported, and KSP strongly reminds motorists who must travel to give snowplows extra room.
To report a missing person, please contact your local KSP post. The KSP post phone numbers can be found here.
Fish and Wildlife: The Governor thanked Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers. Kentucky game wardens from across the state have been working since Saturday night, conducting land and water rescues and delivering critical life-sustaining supplies to disaster victims.
On Saturday night, two Kentucky game wardens navigated high water by vehicle and on foot to rescue a family in Perry County near the Big Creek area whose home was being overtaken by floodwaters. The wardens carried an infant and 3-year-old child through rushing floodwaters and returned to the residence to extract the rest of the family, delivering all of them to dry land.
On Tuesday, Kentucky game wardens navigated 20 miles of debris filled waters by boat near the John’s Creek area of Floyd County, where they rescued an elderly woman in need of critical medical assistance whose home was surrounded by high waters. This effort took several hours.
Operation Teams: Teams are still completing secondary searches in targeted areas. There are two federal urban search and rescue (USAR) teams: Ohio Task Force One and Missouri Task Force One. Two emergency teams from out of state include North Carolina USAR teams and Indiana conservation officers. State teams include Covington Fire, Bowling Green Fire and Jefferson County Special Operations.
Power Outages: As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, a reported 1,710 customers were without power. This is down from over 4,000 Kentuckians yesterday.
Drinking Water: As of 9 a.m. Wednesday:
- Roughly 8,600 customers were without water.
- 44,812 customers were under Boil Water Advisories.
- All water systems were online, 21 systems were under limited operations.
Wastewater: As of 9 a.m. Wednesday:
- Three wastewater systems were not operational.
- 30 wastewater systems were under limited operation.
- 11 wastewater plants were experiencing bypasses, and 24 systems with lift stations were reported as overflowing.
FEMA: Kentucky is applying to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for individual assistance, for which the Governor said he believes many should qualify. This would provide money for immediate needs for individuals, as well as more funds for longer-term individual recovery.
PVAs: The Governor also thanked property valuation administrators for their assistance in determining the number of properties within the flooded areas and their assessed values, and the building locations within those properties. This information is crucial to helping the state secure financial assistance from FEMA. Kentucky Emergency Management estimates there were approximately 18,500 properties within the counties affected, with a total assessed value over $1.2 billion dollars. This is the value of the properties; the value of the damage has not yet been determined.
State Funds: Gov. Beshear said his administration is already working with the state legislature to set up a pool of funding to help with long-term recovery efforts similar to the West Kentucky and East Kentucky State Aid for Funding for Emergencies, or SAFE, funds. Gov. Beshear said the first calls with legislators have gone well.
Kentucky State Parks: Currently, 215 people are being sheltered at four Kentucky State Parks:
- Jenny Wiley: 109 adults, 39 children
- Natural Bridge: 19 adults, nine children
- Buckhorn Lake: 25 adults, 13 children
- Cumberland Falls: One adult
The Governor said more rooms are open and available as needed.
Emergency Shelters: As of Wednesday morning, 11 emergency shelters were helping those affected by the storms. Click here for an up-to-date list of shelter locations.
OnStar: General Motors has activated OnStar Crisis Mode services in Kentucky. Anyone in an OnStar-equipped Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet or GMC vehicle can press the in-vehicle blue button for complimentary crisis assist services or the red emergency button if they are in need of immediate emergency help. An OnStar subscription is not required.
When To Call 911: If you have an emergency or life-threatening situation, dial 911 for immediate available assistance.
Rapid Needs Assessment: If you have immediate needs that are not life-threatening, please complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form or call 502-607-6665. These needs include: power is out or inconsistent; no heat or very little heat; individuals with medical needs or disabilities; no food or unable to cook; no or very little drinking water; unable to leave house due to weather or lack of transportation; phone issues; unable to leave vehicle; checking on a loved one; and more.
Safety Tips:
- Watch your step. Floodwaters often hide sharp and dangerous debris, like broken glass and metal. Floodwater can also be contaminated with oil, gasoline or sewage.
- Wear the appropriate protective clothing and gear such as boots, gloves and safety glasses when moving debris.
- Stay away from electrical utility equipment after a storm, or if it is wet, to prevent being electrocuted. Report any utility issues to your local utility company.
- Flooded homes are hazards. Get a professional to check for loose wires, mold and hidden damage before re-entering.
- Use generators or other gas-powered machinery only outdoors and away from windows.
- Never drive into a road covered with flowing water. One foot of flowing water can sweep a car off the road; two feet will carry away an SUV or pickup. Even six inches of water can knock you off your feet. Never walk or drive through swift water. Turn around, don’t drown!
- Respect barricades and posted signage. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around. You’re not only putting your own life at risk, but also the lives of first responders.
- If you encounter a dark traffic signal, treat it as a four-way stop.
Drivers are urged to check traffic conditions before traveling at GoKy.ky.gov.
For additional preparedness tips, visit kyem.ky.gov.
