FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced Thursday a 15th person has died as the result of severe floods and cold that moved across the state this week.

Beshear said work is still being done to figure out how much money will be needed to assist those affected.

What You Need To Know

  • Flooding and extreme cold have led to the death of 15 people across the state

  • At one point, all 120 counties were under a Flood Warning

  • State leaders are now working out the details of how to get financial assistance to people

  • An accounting of how much money is needed is underway

“We just got some of the first numbers and estimates over to leadership," Beshear said at a Thursday morning news conference. "That was us needing to do our work to get to them." 

The governor is working with state legislative leaders on the next steps. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said a final tally for money needed will direct their decision-making.

“There’s not been a good assessment; there’s just not been enough time,” Stivers said.

In the state budget, $50 million has been allocated to help with disaster relief and $25 million is earmarked for the National Guard.

Businesses along Main Street in Hazard, Kentucky, took on feet of water from the Feb. 2025 storms, which brought impactful flooding to the commonwealth. Some residents said it's an all-too-familiar feeling, as the Perry County city was also hit hard by the historic 2022 flooding. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

“If that’s not enough, we can take steps prior to us adjourning in March," Stivers said. "But right now, he has some pretty substantial monies plus whatever dollars are there from FEMA." 

Beshear said he wants this cap on funds lifted.

“As I mentioned yesterday, we need an uncapping of the limitations on responding to natural disasters that was in this last budget for the first time, we think, ever,” Beshear said.

Both Beshear and Stivers said they think financial assistance will be figured out before the end of the legislative session next month. Beshear added he doesn't think a special session is likely.

Beshear will be at the White House on Friday for a meeting of the National Governors Association. He expects to meet with federal leaders and discuss ways to assist the state with this recent natural disaster.

A Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund is accepting donations and has raised nearly $200,000 so far. Beshear said this will fund funerals for the storm’s 15 victims. Money beyond that will go to immediate victim needs.

The last time a Kentucky governor called a special session was Beshear in Aug. 2022 following the aftermath of a western Kentucky tornado outbreak in Dec. 2021, which killed more than 70 people.

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