Recovery efforts resumed Monday as Kentucky grapples with the aftermath of severe flooding that has claimed at least nine lives. However, these efforts may be hindered by an incoming winter weather system expected to hit the region on Tuesday

FEMA representatives and mutual aid teams from other states arrived in Kentucky on Sunday to support search and rescue operations. Governor Andy Beshear reported that over 1,000 water rescues took place over the weekend, but the death toll is anticipated to increase as floodwaters start to recede.

Cold temperatures and snowfall of up to 6-8 inches in some areas are expected to move into Kentucky starting Tuesday night, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Louisville. The Louisville area is anticipated to receive between 2-4 inches of snow.

In the past 48 hours, we’ve experienced all four seasons of weather,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray at a Sunday news conference. “Rain, then snow, thunderstorms, and now more snow is on the way… it’s a very serious event.

Officials have urged residents to stay off the roads until they are fully cleared and to only call 911 for emergency or life-threatening situations, due to the high volume of calls and demand for services. For non-life-threatening needs, people are advised to call (502) 607-6665 or fill out the Rapid Needs Assessment Form online.

Here’s the latest update as of Monday.

Freshman state Rep. Mitch Whitaker, currently serving his first term in Frankfort, is no stranger to dealing with the aftermath of devastating floods

Whitaker, one of several local officials who joined Governor Beshear at Monday’s news conference in Pikeville, resides in Fleming-Neon, a small town in Southeastern Kentucky near the Virginia border. The region was heavily impacted by the 2022 floods, he said, and while this year’s flooding is ‘not nearly as bad,’ his hometown is still facing significant challenges

Earlier Monday, he said, a mudslide in Fleming-Neon knocked three homes off their foundation.

“That’s three of my neighbors that are homeless,” he said.

Whitaker’s home is currently inaccessible, but he said he doesn’t have it as bad as some. His wife and newborn child were staying at a rental property in Central Kentucky, he said, so he’s “personally unaffected other than not being able to get to my house, and that’s a very minor issue.”

No deaths have been reported in Fleming-Neon at this time, which Whitaker said is worth celebrating, but he still has concerns about what the future holds.

Dealing with FEMA was “a huge issue” in the aftermath of the 2022 floods — there was little transparency and the provided relief was inconsistent among neighbors, he said. Some were also required to purchase flood insurance as a stipulation for help, but “nobody could afford to buy flood insurance after that.”

“My concern is that FEMA might penalize people for not buying flood insurance,” he said. “We’ll see. I just don’t have much faith in FEMA after the last go around.”

Whitaker will be back in Frankfort this week for the 2025 General Assembly. Legislators don’t have the power to “go out and fix things the way the executive branch can, but we can fund recovery efforts,” he noted. He hopes the legislature can put money toward relief and invest in the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund.

Beshear: Kentucky flooding is ‘one of the worst’ events in state history

Gov. Andy Beshear said the widespread flooding currently impacting Kentucky is “one of the worst” events the commonwealth has ever seen as he toured the damage in Pikeville Monday.

The Eastern Kentucky city was one of the most heavily-impacted by the floodwaters, which have closed hundreds of major roads and damaged countless homes and businesses.

“The damage goes from our Mississippi River counties all the way to the furthest part of Pike County,” he said.

In Martin County, more than 230 Kentuckians were rescued from two apartment complexes Monday that were without power and surrounded by standing water, Beshear said. Crews were unable to reach the residents for a day and a half and nine helicopters were required to complete the rescue.

Elkhorn City remains without working water, with 26 other systems under limited operations. Slightly more than 12,000 customers are currently without power across the commonwealth, many in Pike County, and warming centers and shelters are being made available ahead of incoming snow.

The governor also said Kentucky will be applying to FEMA for individual assistance and expects to qualify. State legislators are also considering additional funding for those impacted.

“We’re going to be here for you. Team Kentucky is going to give you our very best,” Beshear said.

Louisville officials provide update on local flooding impacts

At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said through Saturday night, 29 water rescues were performed across Jefferson County by the Louisville Fire Department, Louisville Metro Police and other agencies. Most of the rescues were of stranded drivers and no injuries were reported, he added.

Greenberg said that “most of the flash flooding” from Saturday had or was receding, but that the Ohio River remained elevated.

Two River Road parks — Cox’s Park and Eva Bandman Park — remained closed as a result.

The section or River Road running under I-64 in downtown Louisville also remained shut due to flooding, with signs on the highway warning drivers of the closure.

Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said while local emergency teams have been dispatched to harder-hit areas of the state, agencies remained prepared ahead of additional snow and freezing weather this week.

“Although we have dispatched people throughout the state, we have plenty of resources here,” he said.

O’Neill said the 29 water rescues in Jefferson County were “almost entirely” cars that had entered “areas that they shouldn’t have” amid flooding.

“They see ponded water and it looks like a big puddle. It usually is not. It could be six feet deep in the middle of that and it doesn’t look like it because you’re looking at a flat surface from where you’re driving,” he said.

Prospect restaurant on Ohio River sees flooding

Captain’s Quarters, located at 5700 Captain’s Quarters Road in Prospect, is temporarily closed due to flooding on the Ohio River, according to the restaurant’s website.

The closure is until further notice, posts to Facebook and Instagram say, with high water levels expected to linger on the river.

Louisville leaders announce white flag conditions

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, that white flag operations will be executed in the coming days due to cold temperatures and snowfall.

Shelters operating as white flag locations include Salvation Army and Wayside Christian Mission, and warming shelters will be open in some city neighborhoods.

Warming centers include Hope International AOH Church of God at 2330 Algonquin Parkway, Exodus Family Ministries at 4205 Cane Run Road and Voices of Truth Church at 5507 Valley Station Road

Eastern Kentucky Flood Memorial flooded

There are 46 names etched in stone on Main Street near City Hall in Hazard. They are the names of lives lost in the 2022 flooding that swept through 14 counties in Eastern Kentucky when it brought historic rainfall amounts.

A photo from Sunday afternoon showed the monument partially submerged in the latest flood water.

Gov. Andy Beshear visited the monument just six weeks ago. It was originally unveiled in August 2024 by Perry County Sheriff Joe Engle and designer Rachel Crawford.

The stone monument is topped by an outline of the state of Kentucky, with a heart near Hazard and the words EKY Strong, then the names broken into counties.

Crawford is the sister of one of the victims, 18-year-old Aaron “Mick” Crawford.

Sunday, water rose over the monument’s base, just below a quote from Mick that read: “No matter what trials may come, the sun will rise on us again, Kentucky.”

Death toll from Kentucky floods rises to 11

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a Monday morning update that 11 people in the commonwealth have died as a result of recent flooding.

Beshear said a man in Hardin County and another in Floyd County were killed due to flood-related causes, increasing from the nine total deaths announced Sunday.

State officials remain in the “search and rescue phase” as Kentucky recovers from major flooding, Beshear said.

“There are still people that are in harm’s way,” Beshear said. “We need to make sure we don’t create additional emergency situations so that all of our first responders can get those who we know are stranded and need help.”

Beshear plans to head to Pikeville Monday afternoon to survey flood damage.

Officials are also keeping an eye on forecasted snow showers Tuesday and Wednesday, Beshear said, and it’s possible some of the areas hit by severe floods could also see 2-6 inches of snow in the next 48 hours. A winter storm watch is set to take effect Tuesday evening in much of Kentucky, including Louisville.

“We’re still dealing with this emergency situation and the weather coming is only going to complicate it,” Beshear said.

Power and water outages have decreased “significantly” Monday. More than 14,000 Kentucky customers were without power Monday morning, down from a peak of more than 40,000 over the weekend, and more than 17,000 lacked water access at home. At least 143 people displaced by flooding have taken shelter at a Kentucky state park, Beshear said.

Kentucky floodsPikeville, Kentucky, hit hard again by floods, leans on community amid tragedy

Roads close around Louisville with Ohio River’s high water levels

Louisville Metro Public Works Communications Specialist Salvador Melendez said Monday afternoon that some roads around the city are closed due to flooding.

• River Road from 3rd to 7th streets.
• Beargrass Creek and Park Boundary Road.
• Watson Lane and Tennis Boulevard.
• Frankfort Avenue between Mellwood Avenue and River Road.
• All entry to Cherokee Park including at Willow Avenue, Lexington Road and Eastern Parkway.

Snow expected to linger throughout the week

NWS Meteorologist Mark Jarvis said temperatures will remain colder throughout the week following some potentially significant snowfall Tuesday and Wednesday. While the precipitation will be dry and fluffy, it isn’t expected to melt until temperatures warm Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s going to get really cold after that snow moves through and we’ll have a warming trend over the weekend, so we’ll start melting snow probably over the weekend,” he said.

NWS says flooding levels are receding in southern Kentucky; Louisville and Ohio River to see high waters

NWS Meteorologist Mark Jarvis said Monday morning that flood waters are starting to recede in southern parts of the commonwealth, with most expected to be under flood levels by Wednesday.

“Across southeast Kentucky, most of the major rivers are now on their way down. They’re still in flood, but they’re coming down pretty quickly,” Jarvis said.

The Ohio River, where most commonwealth rivers flow into, will see some minor flood conditions in Louisville. Water levels will be high and possibly won’t recede until early next week.

“The Ohio River is getting ready to go into what we call minor flood so it’s going to go over its banks and that’ll start later this afternoon, and it will stay in minor flood for the remainder of the week.”

Anticipated snow on Tuesday and Wednesday will have few impacts on flooding conditions with a dry, fluffy precipitation.

NWS issues winter storm watch; up to 6 inches possible in some regions

The NWS is predicting 2-6 inches of snow around the commonwealth Tuesday and Wednesday, and a winter storm watch will be in effect beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday night for various counties. The watch area, which includes Louisville, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Shepherdsville, Shelbyville and Elizabethtown, could see more than 4 inches.

A flood warning remains in effect until 1:30 p.m. Monday following heavy rainfall in recent days brought flooding to southeastern Kentucky.

Louisville weatherLouisville weather: ‘Heavy snow,’ cold temperatures could follow floods

Multiple parks closed around Louisville metro due to high water

The Parklands of Floyds Fork experienced major flooding throughout the more than 4,000-acre park.

The park system announced closures of park roads and amenities on its website Sunday, including:

• South side entrance of Broad Run Park at Bardstown Road
• Beckley Creek Parkway under Interstate 64
• North Beckley Canoe Launch parking area.
• Numerous areas of the Louisville Loop in low-lying areas.
• The Stand and Strand Trailhead
• All canoe launches throughout the Parklands

Cherokee Park, which is supported by Olmsted Parks Conservancy, saw flooding, including multiple vehicles that were stuck in the floodwaters. Access to the Scenic Loops is limited, Louisville Parks and Rec officials said.

Water levels in the park have receded and crews have begun debris cleanup in the area, which is expected to be completed Monday. Due to vehicles previously stuck in floodwaters still needing to be removed, the area will remain closed to the public.

Parks officials said Shawnee Golf Course will most likely be closed as floodwaters rise and fall along the Ohio River. Eva Bandman and Carrie Caulbert Cox Park, both located along the Ohio River, are likely to remain closed for until next week due to their proximity to the river.

There was also a cave-in on Mitchell Hill Road in Fairdale. In a social media post, officials said it is “not currently limiting access to the Tom Wallace section of Jefferson Memorial Forest, however, that area also saw flooding over the weekend and JMF crews are assessing the area for a possible closure.”

This story will update.