At least four people were killed in flooding in Kentucky on Saturday as heavy rains prompted evacuations and the governor declared a state of emergency.
Gov. Andy Beshear said that officials had received reports of three deaths in Madison County, near Lexington, and one death in Jackson County, including “at least one motorist swept away and killed by flash flooding.”
Much of the state was under a flood watch, with seven inches of rain expected in some areas, and rainfall expected to continue through 11 p.m.
State officials also warned of “damaging winds, hail and possibly tornadoes” in western Kentucky.
Madison County was particularly hard hit, with fast surging water leaving many roads submerged.
The Madison County coroner, Jimmy Cornelison, said that three adults in the county had died from drowning, one in a car and two in a basement apartment.
Don Kelley, 80, a cattle farmer and retired police officer who lives in Madison County, said the area was slammed with rain in a matter of a few hours on Saturday morning, sending water from a local creek surging over its banks.
The area around Tates Creek, near Richmond, was wiped away, taking out several houses, farmland and a church, he said.
“It was totally flooded, the worst I’ve ever seen it, and I’ve lived on the creek for 80 years,” he said.
He said a neighbor in his 70s was washed away in his car and died. The neighbor’s wife had first called to say he was missing, and then later shared that he had drowned, Mr. Kelley said.
Video taken by Mr. Kelley showed water several feet high, overtaking a car and coming halfway up the side of a barn. Images on social media from the area show the Million Bible Church, in Richmond, collapsed and surrounded by water.
Bullitt County, south of Louisville, was also “hit hard” by rain, Mr. Beshear said.
Bullitt County Emergency Management recommended precautionary evacuations of about 20 residents after a dam, which provides a barrier for a large, privately owned pond at Bullitt County Rod and Gun Club, showed signs of severe erosion on Saturday.
The damage to the dam created a small landslide and sent a mixture of soil and water into the club and parking lot, said Corey Farris, deputy director of Bullet County Emergency Management.
“I believe we’ve been hit pretty hard with it,” said Mr. Farris, describing how flooding has led to multiple road closures and rescues from partially submerged vehicles and homes.
The governor warned that strong thunderstorms could bring damaging winds, hail and tornadoes in western Kentucky. Bowling Green, Henderson, Madisonville, Murray and Paducah face the highest risk from those storms, he said.
Mr. Beshear urged residents to stay off the roads, with more rainfall expected in parts of the state through the evening.
“When it gets dark, it’s going to get even worse,” he said, “so please do not drive after dark if you can avoid it.”
Tricia Fulks Kelley, Sejal Govindarao and Ginny Whitehouse contributed reporting
