NEW YORK, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Four people have died due to flooding from thunderstorms in the U.S. state of Kentucky, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in social media posts on Saturday.
Beshear has declared a state of emergency as heavy rain and dangerous flash flooding continue to impact much of Kentucky through 11 p.m. local time (0300 GMT Sunday), with some parts of the state forecast to receive up to 7 inches of rain.
Beshear encouraged residents in Kentucky to monitor local weather alerts, avoid unnecessary travel and be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding threatens their area.
"This is a serious flooding event," Beshear said. "As more heavy rain continues through late tonight, we need folks to remain alert and to avoid driving, especially after dark when there is limited visibility."
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for parts of Kentucky and Indiana amid heavy rainfall, saying between 4 and 10 inches of rain had already fallen in some parts of southwestern Indiana, with more possible. ■