Kentucky Winter Storm Death Toll Rises to 22

Governor Beshear reports additional fatalities in several counties as power restoration nears completion but water issues persist

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Governor Andy Beshear announced on Thursday that the death toll in Kentucky from last month's winter storm has risen to 22, with additional fatalities reported in Grayson, Hardin, and Hart Counties. While power restoration is close to full, issues with water service in some parts of the state still linger, with over 12,000 service connections under boil water advisories and some systems having limited operations.

Why it matters

The winter storm that hit Kentucky last month caused significant damage and loss of life, highlighting the need for improved disaster preparedness and response in the state. The ongoing water service issues also underscore the fragility of critical infrastructure and the challenges communities face in recovering from extreme weather events.

The details

According to Governor Beshear, the death toll from the winter storm in Kentucky has risen to 22, with additional fatalities reported in Grayson, Hardin, and Hart Counties. While power restoration is nearing completion, over 12,000 service connections across the state remain under boil water advisories, and thirteen water systems are still operating with limited capacity.

  • The winter storm occurred last month.
  • Governor Beshear reported the updated death toll on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

The players

Governor Andy Beshear

The current Governor of Kentucky, who provided the updated information on the winter storm's impact and the state's ongoing recovery efforts.

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What’s next

The state continues to work on restoring full water service and addressing the remaining infrastructure issues caused by the winter storm.

The takeaway

The tragic loss of life and the lingering water service problems in Kentucky underscore the need for improved disaster preparedness and resilient critical infrastructure to better protect communities from the impacts of extreme weather events.