FRANKFORT, KY - On May 22, 2025, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on severe weather recovery, Recovery Ready Communities and declining highway fatalities. The Governor named all those helping with disaster recovery following the weekend’s storms as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

May Severe Weather Recovery
Gov. Beshear provided an update on severe weather that took place May 16-17 and hit South Central Kentucky particularly hard, with a tornado touching down in Laurel County.

“To those affected by this weekend’s severe weather, our promise to you is the same one we’ve made to each and every family impacted by natural disasters these past few years,” said Gov. Beshear. “We will rebuild every home and every life. We will keep showing up over and over. We will walk this road of recovery together.”

The Governor said the commonwealth has submitted a request with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking for Individual Assistance for eight counties and Public Assistance for 22 counties. This is an initial request, and more counties will likely be added as damage assessments come in.

The Governor said the number of confirmed deaths connected to severe weather remains at 19. The fatalities include 17 people in Laurel County, one in Pulaski County and one in Russell County. There are eight injured people at the University of Kentucky Hospital: three in critical condition, one in serious condition and four in good condition. 

Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians and anyone else who would like to help that the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund is there to support survivors, including paying for funeral expenses for those lost in the disaster. To donate, click here. So far, the fund has raised more than $1.3 million in donations from 5,735 donors.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is sheltering 31 people occupying 10 rooms. There are currently 14 individuals being sheltered by the Red Cross, 40 at Airbnbs and 65 households being sheltered by Praxel. Many more households are with volunteer organizations or self-paying. Team Kentucky is working to get more than 100 travel trailers set up at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park. Five units are currently onsite being installed, and additional units are on the way.

Emergency clearance and debris removal has begun in the affected areas. Temporary staging locations and debris management sites are being identified and approved. At the time of the Governor’s briefing, about 1,201 customers were without power, down from a high of 172,711. Approximately 50 customers were without water, and 200 customers were under a boil water advisory. The Governor noted that these numbers are fairly standard for power and utility operations on any given day in the commonwealth

U.S. Highway 27 at Somerset reopened Wednesday afternoon following significant cleanup and emergency repairs. However, highway and power crews remain at work there, and the Parkers Mill Road intersection remains blocked where crews are restoring traffic signals. Crews continue to barricade roads and set up detours so power services can be restored in Laurel, Pulaski and surrounding counties. Visit goky.ky.gov before traveling to make sure your route is not affected by road closures.

Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers and Kentucky National Guard members are providing 24-hour security patrols in storm-impacted areas to prevent looting. Only residents and authorized personnel will be permitted in these areas. At this time, KSP Post 11 has no reports of missing persons. If someone needs to report a missing person or request a wellness check, they should contact their local KSP post.

Updates On Other Severe Weather Events
The Governor also provided an update on recovery following other severe weather events that have affected the commonwealth in 2025. Kentuckians impacted by severe weather and flooding that began in Kentucky on April 2, have until June 25 to apply for federal FEMA aid. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App. So far from the April event, 1,715 individuals have been approved for Individual Assistance, representing more than $14.4 million disbursed.

Also for the April event, Gov. Beshear announced Wednesday that Kentucky is expanding eligibility for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) to include individuals in 24 additional counties who are out of work as a result of severe storms.

For the February storms, Gov. Beshear announced this week that Kentucky’s request for a 30-day extension to the registration period for DUA for those affected has been approved and the deadline extended until May 27, 2025, for disaster survivors in all counties designated for Individual Assistance in DR-4860-KY.

Affected individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov or call 502-564-2900 to file their initial claim. The deadline to apply for assistance is June 23, 2025.

Also for the February event, the deadline is tomorrow, May 23, to apply for federal FEMA aid. More than 6,920 individuals have been approved for Individual Assistance, representing more than $44.1 million disbursed. Many Disaster Recovery Centers for the February storms will be closing over the next few days. A few will remain open for regional support and to handle appeals. Click here to view the hours and locations of the Disaster Recovery Centers for the April and February events. 

Team Kentucky recently received a denial for Public Assistance for ice storms in January. The Governor said his administration will be appealing this denial, as he believes the event meets all the statutory thresholds for assistance.

Four Counties Certified as Recovery Ready Communities
Gov. Beshear announced that Bell, LaRue, Marion and Washington counties are now certified as Recovery Ready Communities, bringing the total number of certified counties to 25. These new certifications mean that nearly 71,000 more Kentuckians have access to second chance employment; safe, sober-living housing; health care; and treatment. Counties are recognized by having established services for residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction in three different categories – prevention, treatment and recovery support. Marion County Judge/Executive David Daugherty joined the news conference to speak about the work his county is doing to fight addiction.

Declining Highway Fatalities
Gov. Beshear announced that highway fatalities in Kentucky decreased in 2024 to 707 deaths – down 107 compared with 2023. This marks the lowest number of highway fatalities in the last 10 years.

“These numbers mean fewer families have had to deal with such a painful loss,” said Gov. Beshear. “While this is a great sign, we know each person lost on our roadways is a tragedy. Each one is a child of God, taken far too soon. Let’s keep doing all we can to prevent tragedies – like buckling up, putting the phone down, driving sober and following the speed limit.”

Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named all those helping in disaster recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.

“From our heroic State Police, National Guard and local first responders to our transportation crews, volunteers, local leaders, nonprofits and so many more: Thank you,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s because of your service and your dedication to helping others that we will get through this together.”