Kentucky sees eight deaths amid harsh winter weather

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February 18, 2025
2 min read

Kentucky sees eight deaths amid harsh winter weather

At least nine people, including eight in the state of Kentucky, have died following the latest wave of harsh weather in the US. The deaths came amid swelling creeks from heavy rain and water-covered roads.

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear reported that hundreds of people were stranded due to floods, needing to be rescued. President Donald Trump approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration. He authorised the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts there.

Most of the deaths were caused by cars being stuck in high water, the governor said. Among them was a mother and a 7-year-old child.

“So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive,” he said. “This is the search and rescue phase, and I am very proud of all the Kentuckians that are out there responding, putting their lives on the line.”

Beshear reported that there have already been 1,000 rescues across Kentucky since the storms began in the weekend. They took out power to around 39,000 homes but Beshear warned that harsh winds in certain areas may lead to more outages.

Parts of Kentucky and neighbouring Tennessee saw as much as 6 inches (15cm) of rain, senior forecaster with the National Weather Service Bob Oravec reported. “The effects will continue for awhile, a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding going on,” Oravec said.

In nearby Alabama, the weather service in Birmingham confirmed an EF-1 tornado overnight in one county. Storms around the state destroyed or damaged mobile homes, downed trees, and knocked power lines down. No injuries had been immediately reported however.

One Tennessee county declared a state of emergency in certain parts following floods. “There will be mandatory evacuations in effect for the residents in Rives due to the rising water, no electricity, and freezing temperatures creating a life-threatening situation,” Mayor Steve Carr said in a statement Sunday.

And in Atlanta in Georgia, one death was reported after a large tree fell on a home, Atlanta Fire Rescue Captain Scott Powell revealed.

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