FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear declared a State of Emergency in Kentucky following severe storms that struck Pike and Shelby counties early Sunday morning and several northeastern Kentuckian counties late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. The storms have caused flash flooding, evacuations and water rescues in the northeastern Kentucky counties of Carter, Elliott, Lewis, Mason and Rowan counties. Those counties have each declared states of emergency; the cities of Olive Hill and Maysville have also declared local states of emergency.

Gov. Beshear also signed an executive order today to trigger the price gouging statutes that protect consumers from unscrupulous businesses that attempt to artificially inflate prices as a result of the emergency.

The executive order will allow for investigation into any complaints of price gouging that may occur relative to gas, heating, building supplies, hotels and other goods and services in the aftermath of the weekend’s storms.

Weather reports indicate as much as six inches of rain has fallen on parts of northeast Kentucky.   The Little Sandy River is rising and expected to crest above flood stage in Grayson. American Electric Power reports approximately 566 customers in Letcher, Carter and Lewis counties are currently without power. Approximately 400 Lewis County homes are currently without water.

In Carter County, a shelter operated by the Salvation Army has opened at Grahn Community Center. Early estimates indicate that 50 to 60 homes in Carter County were affected by the floods, approximately 20 of which are destroyed. Eight roads are currently underwater in Fleming County. KY-57 is closed at the Fleming-Lewis county line and multiple roads are closed in the Laurel Camp Dix area in Lewis County. Forty homes in Rowan County have been flooded, two of which have been destroyed. At least 100 cars were flooded, and 20 county bridges and 20 private bridges with approaches have been washed out.

Officials expect the amount of damages to increase as water recedes in the impacted counties, as emergency workers and local officials will be able to reach areas previously under water and hope to have a better assessment on the extent of damage.

These latest floods came just days after heavy thunderstorms hit Pike and Shelby counties.  Two fatalities are attributed to the Pike County storms. Gov. Steve Beshear declared states of emergency for both counties over the weekend.  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assessment teams have been working to evaluate damages in Pike County for two days, which will expedite the process for applying for any applicable federal assistance.

Pike County updates

Local, state and federal damage assessment teams continue assessing the property damage in Pike County.

In Pike County, 2,400 residents remain without water and much of the county remains on boil water advisories. Volunteers are taking drinking water to impacted areas, and water distribution points have been established throughout the county. Three shelters are open in the area.

Safety Tips

Kentuckians are encouraged to monitor weather (www.weather.com) for their areas and heed warnings or evacuation orders from local officials. Do not drive through or wade through any water, no matter if just a few inches.  STOP, TURN AROUND – DON’T DROWN!

Do not attempt to enter flooded structures unless a certified electrician has shut off the power.

For additional information and safety tips, please visit KyEM’s website at www.kyem.ky.gov.

Be aware of toxic or hazardous wastes associated with flood waters.  For additional information on health safety tips and flood water clean-up, please visit the Department for Public Health’s website at www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/.

For statewide road conditions please visit www.511.ky.gov .

For local information and or shelter locations, please contact your local emergency management office. Follow this link for assistance: http://www.kyem.ky.gov/about/countyemdirectors.htm .

For river levels and expected crests, visit http://water.weather.gov/ahps/ and click on the area you wish to observe.

For additional information on this and other Kentucky disasters, please visit www.kyem.ky.gov .