Governor Beshear, Pike County officials describe ongoing rescue and recovery after widespread flooding

Pike County Judge Executive Ray Jones said Pike County has suffered “a significant flood event” that has claimed approximately three lives locally and damaged both business and residential structures.

Governor Andy Beshear, who visited Pike County within 72 hours of the storm, said state and local teams have conducted large-scale rescues and are coordinating recovery efforts. “We’re going to be here for you. Team Kentucky is gonna give you our very best,” Beshear said, adding that the state has pre-positioned assets and surged search-and-rescue resources from across Kentucky and other states.

The governor said at least 237 people were evacuated from an apartment complex in Martin County by helicopter crews and boats, and that six people remained to be rescued at the time of the briefing. He said the state is applying to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for individual assistance to provide immediate aid to affected households.

Local officials provided infrastructure and shelter details. Ray Jones said the East Kentucky Exposition Center is the staging point for emergency supplies and asked volunteers to coordinate through Pike County Emergency Management. He said 20 travel trailers kept from a prior flood are available and that water and cleaning supplies—not clothing—are the immediate needs. “Do not come to the expo center to pick those up,” Jones said; donated supplies will be distributed to volunteer fire departments and other locations.

Officials described the scope of outages and water system damage: the governor reported 12,297 customers without power (statewide); drinking-water impacts include Elkhorn City’s system being inoperable, 26 systems under limited operation, 28,576 services under a boiled-water advisory and about 17,000 service connections without water. Jones said at least 10 county bridges were completely washed out and that road and bridge repairs could take months.

Three emergency shelters are open in Pike County: Millard Elementary, Pike County Central High School and Belfry High School. Jones provided a shelter headcount: 86 at Belfry, 75 at Pike Central and 15 at Millard; he also said Jenny Wiley State Park’s lodge was housing evacuees. The county is housing 75 power-company workers at Mullins Elementary School to support restoration efforts.

Officials warned residents about safety during cleanup and the approach of winter weather. Beshear said the state expects between 2 and 6 inches of snow beginning Tuesday night, and urged residents to use warming centers or shelters if power will be out for days. He also warned about cleanup hazards: “Be careful when you’re cleaning up. You know, wear a mask,” he said, noting prior post-flood deaths during cleanup in 2022.

Pike County also announced a curfew. “I have signed an order putting a curfew in place,” said Scott (Sheriff), setting restricted movement from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; the order permits people engaged in rescue, recovery or repair work to be in affected areas. Officials said law enforcement will enforce the order and that unauthorized visitors to damaged areas are prohibited.

Officials encouraged residents to call 911 for life-threatening emergencies and provided a non-emergency assistance number: (502) 607-6665 for needs such as food or inability to leave property. Pike County Emergency Management can be reached at 432-0210 for volunteer coordination.

State and federal partners on the scene include Kentucky State Police, the National Guard units from other states, FEMA representatives conducting windshield surveys, the National Weather Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Beshear said the state will press FEMA to expedite assistance and that state legislators are discussing an East Kentucky emergency assistance fund modeled on prior efforts.

The press conference closed with officials offering condolences to families who lost loved ones and reiterating that rescue and recovery efforts would continue.