(LEX 18) — Kentucky's death toll from severe winter weather has climbed to 22 people, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday afternoon during a Team Kentucky press conference.
The fatalities span multiple counties across the state and include deaths from hypothermia, heart attacks while shoveling snow, falls on ice and a house fire connected to the storm conditions.
Beshear has been providing regular updates on the casualties since the severe winter weather began affecting the state. The death toll has steadily risen from 10 deaths reported Jan. 28 to the current count of 22.
"We have a mix in terms of the deaths," Beshear said. "We have at least a couple that are hypothermia, but remember you can be outside, you can fall, and then it's the cold that may be the major factor."
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Among the identified victims is 32-year-old Jordyn Daws of Lexington, who died from hypothermia due to environmental exposure. Daws was found in the front yard of a home next door to her own in the 3700 block of Wargrave Walk in the Polo Club community.
Other victims include a 75-year-old woman in Adair County, a 66-year-old man in Daviess County, a 73-year-old man in Ballard County, a 64-year-old man in Hart County and a 55-year-old man in Livingston County.
"We've had at least one heart attack from shoveling," Beshear said. "We've had at least one fall on the ice and it looks like we had a house fire that caused the death of another."
The governor continues to warn residents about dangerous conditions as extremely cold temperatures and wind chills grip the state. He urged residents to bring pets indoors and check on vulnerable neighbors.
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On Jan. 31 President Donald Trump approved Kentucky as an emergency-declared state, making federal aid immediately available to help with storm response and recovery efforts.
"Good news, Kentucky — the President has approved an emergency disaster declaration for this weekend's winter storm," Beshear said in a Facebook post. "This will help us protect lives, and I am grateful for this crucial support."
Both Beshear and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton declared states of emergency due to the severe winter storms.
"Let's wrap our arms around these families during this difficult time," Beshear said. "We'll get through this together."
Beshear released the following information about the victims:
- 72-year-old woman from Whitley County;
- 48-year-old man from Morgan County;
- 70-year-old man from Graves County;
- 68-year-old man from Davis County;
- 62-year-old man from Pulaski County;
- (2) 71-year-old men from Johnson County;
- 64-year-old man from Johnson County;
- 78-year-old man from Owen County; and
- 55-year-old man from Jefferson County.
- 79-year-old woman from Floyd County;
- 77-year-old man from Grayson County;
- 59-year-old man from Hardin County;
- 92-year-old man from Hart County;
- 68-year-old man from Leslie County;
- 32-year-old woman from Lexington; and
- 69-year-old woman from Madison County.
