Kentucky has declared a state of emergency as dangerous flash flooding unfolds across several parts of the state, with floodwaters turning deadly and some residents ordered to evacuate.
The crisis was compounded by a dam failure south of Louisville. Officials reported what they described as a moderate dam failure near Lebanon Junction.
Immediate evacuations were ordered in Bullitt County following the dam failure. Authorities warned residents downstream from the dam to get to higher ground without delay.
Torrential rain sent creeks and rivers surging over their banks. Floodwaters swallowed roads, trapped drivers and forced the closure of several major highways.
Across central and eastern Kentucky, roads remained washed out as the flooding spread, with rescues reported to be underway in affected areas.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at least four people were killed in Kentucky as the floods swept through communities. The governor declared a state of emergency after torrential downpours triggered dozens of water rescues, with some counties recording near-record or record amounts of rain in very short periods. He described it as the state's 16th weather-related disaster during his time in office.
In hard-hit Madison County, a church was swept off its foundation and washed onto a nearby road. In Cumberland County, a vehicle was washed away in the rushing water moments after firefighters pulled a driver to safety, while crews continued search efforts in towns such as Taylorsville.
The same storm system moved into neighboring Tennessee, where officials said one person died. According to reports, a mother was swept into a culvert while trying to rescue her son in high floodwaters.
Emergency crews continued to respond to the unfolding situation, and authorities urged people in flood-prone and downstream areas to heed evacuation orders and avoid floodwaters.