Gov. Andy Beshear expects federal request for Kentucky flood relief to be a 'slam dunk'

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jul 1, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear toured flood damage in two Kentucky communities Wednesday, and said he believes the request for financial relief from the federal government to victims to be a “slam dunk.”

Beshear made stops in Cumberland County and Madison County to get a better understanding of how much damage there was from the recent devastating flood before submitting a request for financial aid to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said Madison County was hit the hardest, and more people could have died if it weren’t for the efforts of first responders.

Madison County received 4 to 6 inches of rain from the torrential rain showers, resulting in flooding and three deaths in the county. Two people died in a flooded basement apartment on University Drive and another was swept away in a vehicle on Tates Creek Road.

If FEMA complies with Beshear’s request for help, it will be the 16th federally-approved natural disaster in his time as Kentucky’s governor. He said it should be a “slam dunk” to get public assistance approved and expects individual assistance to get approved as well.

“We know that will never make up for the fact that they’ve lost so much, but if it can help them get back on their feet, we got to push as hard as we can to do it,” Beshear said.

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides grants to governments for recovery efforts from major disasters or emergencies. Certain types of private nonprofit organizations are also eligible for public assistance.

The agency’s Individual Assistance and Households Program provides finances and services for eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster. Financial assistance can include funds for temporary housing, home repair or replacement, and other uninsured or under-insured expenses.

Team Kentucky officials have created an unmet needs survey and damage reporting tool for residents impacted by the flood. Beshear previously said data collected by the survey will give them access to helpful resources, and help the state its official request to FEMA.

“I’m hopeful that they will be on the other line and willing to listen,” Beshear said. “Our people have been impacted pretty hard. This ought to be an easy decision for them.”

While the request for federal assistance is ongoing, Beshear encouraged victims to work with their local emergency managers to get immediate help. He said other more counties, such as Bullitt and Spencer counties, will be included in the request to FEMA, and impacted communities will receive the same level of care as the other communities hit by prior natural disasters.

“We will try to include everybody that we can, because it would be awful to have a couple of families that really need help that can’t get it,” Beshear said. “We often included just as much as humanly possible.”

The governor declared a state of emergency for Kentucky as a result of the flood. Madison County along with 25 other cities and counties have also declared a local state of emergency, according to Beshear.

Beshear previously said a fourth victim died in Jackson County, but Coroner Conley Tyra said the victim died in a crash which was not caused by the weather. Beshear’s office responded by saying the Department of Public Health determined floodwaters contributed to the crash and ruled the death was flood related.

Additional fatalities are being investigated as possible flood-related deaths, according to Beshear.

Beshear credited the quick efforts of local first responders, which he said saved many lives.

“I’ll put them up against everybody and anybody,” Beshear said. “I certainly got their back and I’m proud of them, and I know the commonwealth is too.”

Madison County victim was a veteran, “dedicated election officer”

The man that died on Tates Creek Road, Garnett Isbell, served in the U.S. Army, according to the Madison County Clerk’s Office. His obituary said he was a Master Sergeant with the Defense Communication Agency and was stationed in Germany, Korea and Saudi Arabia during his military career.

After an honorable discharged from the military, Isbell worked as a 911 dispatcher in Lexington, a mailman in Lancaster and a poll worker in Madison County, according to his obituary.

“As a dedicated election officer, he was a steady and respected presence in the election process and a valued member of our election community,” the clerk’s office said.