LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced Tuesday morning the death toll in his state had risen to 14 following this weekend's severe storms, which brought significant flooding to parts of the commonwealth. 

Impactful winter weather is also predicted for Kentucky Tuesday night into Wednesday. This could include two to seven or more inches of snowfall and below-zero windchills. 

Beshear said the state is still in the "search and rescue" phase. Three fatalities were in Pike County, which Beshear said was "hit harder than any other place in this state."

"We just got hit by one of the most significant natural disasters we've seen in our lifetime," the governor said. 

"We'll rebuild every single structure that's here, and we'll make sure there's a bright future for Pike County." 

Beshear said 175 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated, in addition to members of the Indiana National Guard. He added emergency teams are helping from Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. 

In a Monday morning news conference, Beshear said he would apply for federal assistance, which has already been approved by President Donald Trump.

“We now believe that we have enough damage and evidence of enough damage to request that help for our people,” Beshear said. “If we secure it, it will open up immediate need and cleaning and sanitizing money that becomes available pretty quickly to our people.” 

Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee received up to 6 inches of rain, Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service, said Sunday.

A strip mall in Pikeville, Kentucky, on Feb. 17, 2025, following severe flooding that hit the region. (Spectrum News 1/Lee Pascoe)

Water submerged cars and buildings in Kentucky, and mudslides blocked roads in Virginia over the weekend. Flood warnings extended throughout Tennessee and Arkansas.

Beshear said he hopes the fatalities “stay where they are” and urged Kentuckians to avoid driving through flooded roads. A “significant number” of deaths came from people driving through flooded water. As of Tuesday morning, there were 295 state highway closures, according to Beshear's office.

Those cleaning up need to be careful as well, as he said two people died during cleanup efforts following the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. 

Some rivers are still cresting. Beshear urged those without power to find a warm place; he said 237 Kentuckians were evacuated from two Martin County apartment complexes still without power by helicopter, with “six left to go.” 

Rocky Adkins, a senior adviser for Beshear, said the state is better equipped to handle severe weather following disasters such as the 2021 Mayfield tornado and 2022 floods, but expressed condolences for those affected and described the community's resilience. 

“Man, we've been punched too much," Adkins said. "We've had our guts knocked out. We take a right cross and then an uppercut, and then we get hit in the gut again. But I'm going to tell you about our people, man. They get knocked down, they crawl right back up."

Ray Jones, Pike County judge executive, said emergency supplies such as water and cleaning materials are at the East Kentucky Exposition Center. The storms destroyed 10 county bridges; he added. Rebuilding infrastructure will take “months,” as they are still working on recovery from the 2022 floods. 

Jones said the county has enacted a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. so cleanup crews can continue their efforts. 

“If you do not live in an affected area, you have no business being there,” Jones said. 

Beshear reminded Kentuckians to call 911 in life-threatening situations or if they are facing an emergency. For non-emergency situations, call 502-607-6665 or visit kyem.ky.gov. 

The governor also launched the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund, which has raised more than $50,000 as of Tuesday morning. Donations will help pay for each victim's funeral, his office said. 

“We’re going to be here for you,” Beshear said.