Governor Pleads: ‘Do Not Drive Through Water’ as Flooding Threat Remains After Deadly Storm

The governor of Kentucky warned that although the rain has stopped, the threat remains after four days of severe storms that caused devastating tornadoes and flooding in the central United States.

At a press conference on Monday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that several rivers and creeks are at or above flood stage, and that many roadways are still inundated.

Beshear implored, “Do not drive through water, do not move barricades,” He emphasized that driving is still risky even when the water is subsiding.

According to Louisville Metro Emergency Services, more than 60 people were evacuated from a hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday because it was surrounded by flooded roads.

Since Wednesday, the storms had claimed the lives of twenty-four persons in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Indiana.

A 27-year-old man named Lee Chandler was reported missing after being carried away by floodwaters in McCracken County, Kentucky, where five of the fatalities occurred. According to officials on Monday, his body has subsequently been found.

These storms produced record-breaking amounts of rainfall.

In Benton, Kentucky, more than 15 inches of rain fell, the most in four days for the western portion of the state; in Arkansas and Tennessee, more than 14 inches of rain fell.

It is anticipated that certain rivers will continue to rise this week. Over 40 river gauges in the area are expected to see significant flooding in the days ahead.

Michael Muller, the judge and executive of hard-hit Franklin County, Kentucky, which is located roughly 30 miles west of Lexington, stated, “We’re not out of the woods yet.”

“Stay at home, help your neighbors, don’t be out if you don’t have to be out,” he stated.

A new website, Floodsmart.gov, has been announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals in obtaining flood insurance estimates directly.

“It’s quick and easy and takes just a few minutes. Insured survivors recover faster,” Cameron Hamilton, senior official performing the duties of FEMA administrator, stated. “With spring flooding and hurricane season both approaching fast, it’s important to take this first step so you can better protect the life you’ve built.”

This information has been sourced from abcnews.