Flood alerts remain in effect in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Arkansas in the awakening days of the deadly storms that devastated the center of the United States with catastrophic precipitation and destructive tornadoes.
Significant floods should continue until the end of the week. Twenty-six river gauges are currently in the major flood phase and at least 36 locations could reach a major flood stage.
Two churches, a Catholic and a Baptist are flooded by the Kentucky river in Lockport, Ky., April 8, 2025.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
The houses are seated by the Kentucky river on April 8, 2025, Lockport, Ky.
Carolyn Kaster / AP
Although many rivers have been riddled and are starting to retreat into the hard -hit Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said on social media on Wednesday: “We still need everyone to remain alert.”
“Please move to higher land if necessary, listen to emergency management and be safe,” he said.
In an aerial view, a flooded district was seen, on April 6, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky.
Jon Cherry / AP
At least 24 people died of storms, deaths covering Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Indiana.
Five of the deaths were in Kentucky, including a 9 -year -old boy, Gabriel Andrews, who was swept away by flood waters while he was heading for his school bus to Frankfort, and a 27 -year -old man, Lee Chandler, who was carried by flood waters in the county of McCracken.
A photo not dated from Gabriel Andrews, 9, who died when he was swept away in Kentucky flood waters.
RACHEAL ANDREWS
The precipitation of these storms was historical. More than 15 inches of rain have flooded Benton, Kentucky – the most rain ever recorded in a four -day period for the western part of the state – and more than 14 inches of rain flooded the Arkansas and Tennessee.
President Donald Trump approved emergency statements for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Monday a new website, Floodsmart.gov, to help people directly access flood insurance quotes.
In an aerial view, a flooded district was seen, on April 6, 2025, in Frankfort, Ky.
Jon Cherry / AP
The flood waters take place on a road on April 06, 2025 near Salcedo, Missouri.
Images Scott Olson / Getty
“It’s fast and easy and only takes a few minutes. The insured survivors recover faster,” said Cameron Hamilton, responsible for the functions of the FEMA administrator, in a statement. “With the spring floods and the hurricane season that approaches quickly, it is important to take this first step so you can better protect the life you have built.”
“It is to document the survivors of critical floods,” said Beshear on social networks on Wednesday. “Take photos of everything, including standard numbers for devices that have been destroyed. Keep receipt of the cleaning equipment purchased. The more information you have, the easier the FEMA process if we receive approval.”
Melissa Griffin, Max Golembo and Luke Barr of ABC News contributed to this report.
