At least 9 dead, including 8 in Kentucky, amid latest blast of US winter weather
Severe US winter weather causes flooding, power outages, and dangerous conditions across multiple states
At least nine people have died in the most recent round of harsh weather to pummel the US, including eight people in Kentucky who died as creeks rose from heavy rain and water covered roads.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Sunday that hundreds of people stranded by flooding had to be rescued. US President Donald Trump approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration, authorising the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts throughout the state.
Beshear said most of the deaths, including a mother and 7-year-old child, were caused by cars getting stuck in high water.
“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 said there have been 1,000 rescues across the state since the storms began Saturday. The storms knocked out power to about 39,000 homes, but Beshear warned that harsh winds in some areas could increase outages.
