Emergency crews have had to rescue more than 1,000 people in response to the flooding, and nearly 40,000 are still without power.
Topline
President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for Kentucky on Sunday afternoon after the state and surrounding areas were hit by devastating flooding, which has so far left at least eight people dead in Kentucky and one in Georgia, while tens of thousands are still without power.Key Facts
Storms across Kentucky on Saturday into early Sunday dropped more than six inches of rain in some parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service, which caused flash flooding that has affected roadways and flooded buildings.
Trump issued an emergency declaration for the state at 3 p.m. EST, which authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct disaster relief efforts.
Eight people have so far been confirmed to have died in the storms, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday afternoon.
The deaths were largely among people whose cars got stuck in the flooding, Beshear said, with a mother and her 7-year-old daughter among the victims.
Emergency crews have had to perform more than 1,000 rescues from the flooding and 19 active crews are still performing rescues, Beshear’s office reported Sunday afternoon, noting emergency crews from neighboring states, the Kentucky National Guard and state troopers are also responding to the crisis.
