After days of relentless rain, Kentucky is currently dealing with one of its greatest flooding catastrophes in recent memory. Near-record levels of swollen rivers, such as the Kentucky River, have flooded communities and forced many to evacuate. The state capital, Frankfort, has been especially severely affected, with floodwaters covering houses, businesses, and streets. More than 1,000 people in the state do not now have access to clean drinking water, and more than 500 roadways have been closed.

Numerous people have died as a result of the floods, underscoring the human cost of this natural calamity. A 9-year-old child from Frankfort was one of the victims; he was carried away by floodwaters as he was making his way to a school bus stop. A 74-year-old man was discovered dead inside a flooded car in Nelson County. Rescue and relief efforts have been impeded by the ongoing rainfall, despite the dedicated efforts of emergency personnel.

Rising floodwaters broke through portions of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, a monument in Kentucky whiskey history, forcing it to temporarily close. Water damage has been found in a number of buildings, including the visitor center and numerous old warehouses. In addition to being detrimental to tourism, this shutdown raises serious concerns for the local economy, which is largely dependent on the bourbon sector.

President Trump has declared an emergency for Kentucky in reaction to the extensive damage, releasing government resources for recovery and rescue. But the problem has sparked concerns about the National Weather Service's personnel shortages, which could affect emergency response. Officials are warning locals to stay vigilant, keep out of floodwaters, and heed evacuation orders in order to protect themselves as additional rainfall is predicted.