FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 10, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided an update on severe weather recovery, economic development, driver licensing, railroad grants and National Library Week. The Governor named all those helping with storm and flood recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Severe Weather Update
Gov. Beshear provided an update on severe weather that’s brought historic flooding to many parts of the state. The Governor said that, unfortunately, the number of fatalities due to floodwaters has increased to six Kentuckians. Wednesday, on social media, the Governor announced the death of a man in Bullitt County, and the death of a man in Carroll County was confirmed today. Those who want to help can donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund here. The fund will first pay for the funerals of all those lost.
“River and creek levels have gone down, but let’s remember that this is still a dangerous threat. We don’t want to lose anyone else to floodwaters,” said Gov. Beshear. “That means everyone needs to continue to take the threat seriously and never drive through standing water.”
Over 70 Kentucky counties have declared states of emergency. On April 2, the Governor declared a state of emergency ahead of the first round of severe storms. On April 4, President Donald Trump approved Gov. Beshear’s request for an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky.
Yesterday, the Governor toured flooding damage in Louisville and tornado damage in Jeffersontown. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, a reported 2,523 customers were without power, roughly 775 customers were without water, 3,521 customers were under Boil Water Advisories, three water systems were offline and 18 systems were under limited operations. The Governor stressed that anyone helping with flood clean up needs to be up to date on their tetanus and hepatitis A vaccines, as debris in floodwaters poses dangers. You can go to your local health department and request a vaccine if needed.
The Kentucky State Police continue to assist local law enforcement and first responders in multiple post areas with wellness checks and night security patrols to prevent looting. All driver testing offices are open and operating today.
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, 353 state roadways were closed, 341 by high water and 12 by mudslides or rockslides. This is down from more than 550 roads closed at the peak of the flood. Bridge inspections and highway damage assessments are under way: 85 bridges have been inspected, 4 with issues, including on KY 1462 in Marshall County and Tim Road bridge in Graves County. Not all rivers have crested, and state highway crews continue to place barricades, help people detour around high water and clear roads of mudslides and debris while making repairs where possible. For your safety, do not pass barricades, signs or cones. Do not drive through standing water. For a full list of state highway closures and detours, visit GoKy.ky.gov.
The Governor said the commonwealth will be submitting the application for individual assistance to the federal government tomorrow. General Butler State Resort Park is sheltering 112 people. Those with non-life-threatening needs can call the Emergency Management line at 502-607-6665 or visit kyem.ky.gov for assistance.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear congratulated Morris Packaging, a leading Minority Business Enterprise-certified manufacturer of flexible products, on plans to build a new $60.9 million production plant in Marion County, a project that will create 276 full-time jobs.
The Governor highlighted an exciting new project within the state’s manufacturing sector as Muehlenkamp Properties Inc., doing business as Paragon Metal Fabricators, announced plans to locate a new manufacturing operation in Pendleton County with an investment of over $6 million and creation of 40 Kentucky jobs.
Driver Licensing
Gov. Beshear announced steps the state is taking to reduce lines and make the driver licensing process more efficient. Just three years after lawmakers shifted driver licensing issuance from 120 circuit clerks, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has stood up a regional network of offices and issues over 1.1 million permits, driver licenses, CDLs, Real IDs, motorcycle licenses and ID cards annually. On top of assuming these responsibilities, with driver safety front of mind, legislation required mandatory vision screening for every new driver credential issued on and after January 2 of this year. That along with the Real ID enforcement date of May 7, resulted in higher demand for appointments and walk-in visits, which is causing lines to grow.
The Governor said, to expedite the process, Kentuckians can visit an eye specialist for the vision screening required for license renewal, ask for the completed vision form and then upload and renew at DLRenewal.Ky.gov. Kentuckians visiting a Driver Licensing Regional Office can now get a vision screening then fill out a renewal form without waiting in line and receive their temporary license via email. Or they can renew completely by mail, by printing the mail-in form at Drive.ky.gov, filling it out and attaching a completed vision form from an eye specialist. Your license will be mailed to you, without waiting in line.
“I know the challenges at our Driver Licensing Regional Offices have been difficult,” said Gov. Beshear. “I’ve been meeting with the Transportation Cabinet team, and they’ve been working diligently on solutions to improve this vital public service. Soon, we expect to announce other remote renewal options and innovations to help manage the lines and help even more Kentuckians.”
Note this important reminder: the Read ID enforcement date is not a deadline. It is the day TSA will begin requiring those who fly commercially to have a Real ID or a passport to get through security and to access certain government offices. You can get a Real ID after May 7, if you need one. It is not a mandatory credential in Kentucky.
Railroad Grants
Gov. Beshear announced over $3.6 million in state grants to help pay for 12 Kentucky railway infrastructure improvement projects in 11 different counties across the commonwealth. Projects will improve safety at public crossings, provide timely maintenance and enhance storage capacity of the statewide rail network, ultimately supporting and encouraging economic growth.
National Library Week
The Governor recognized April 6-12 as Library Week.
“Our libraries are vital resources in our communities, providing story times for kids, free technology use, community events and so much more,” said Gov. Beshear. “And our libraries have stepped up once again by serving as Disaster Recovery Centers in several counties to help with severe weather. Thank you to all our library staff for all you do.”
Team Kentucky All-Stars
The Governor named all those helping with storm and flood recovery as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars, including first responders, emergency management, the Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky State Parks, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, organizations, nonprofits, schools, volunteers and others.
“When you see our true humanity, is in these times of great difficulty,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thank you to all who have worked tirelessly to help your neighbors. You all are saving lives and helping folks through the unimaginable. To everyone showing that love and helping, you are this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.”
Second Anniversary of Old National Bank Shooting
The Governor closed the update by recognizing today as the two-year anniversary of the tragic act of violence at Old National Bank in Louisville, that took the lives of five Kentuckians, including the Governor’s close friend, Tommy Elliott.
“I’m reminded everyday that life is short. Our job is to do good things and be kind to each other,” said Gov. Beshear. “I think that’s how we thank our friends that are no longer with us –living our lives in a way that shows just how grateful we are to still be here.”
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