Midwest Flash Floods Leave 4 Dead In Kentucky And Indiana

A total of four deaths have been recorded so far in Kentucky and Indiana after severe storms triggered flash floods in parts of Midwest, authorities said Wednesday. Five people were also listed missing by officials.

Authorities reportedly recovered three bodies in Johnson County, Kentucky, and one in southern Indiana. Among the deceased was 22-year-old Richard Blair, who went missing after he was swept away in the floods Monday in Johnson County, the Associated Press reported.

Other deceased were reportedly identified as Herman Eddie May, Willa Mae Pennington and Edwin Flaherty. May, 56, drowned Monday evening after he left his car on a flooded road while authorities found Pennington, 74, in flood debris, Reuters reported, adding that both were from Johnson County. Flaherty, 67, of Indiana, was found dead Tuesday night after his vehicle was swept into a creek near Charlestown, officials reportedly said.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, NBC News reported. Authorities reportedly said that power cut in Johnson County made the search for the missing people even more difficult. The flash floods reportedly destroyed about 150 homes in parts of Midwest.

The National Weather Service stated, according to NBC News, that storms could cause "very large and damaging hail," more flash flooding and a few tornadoes in the region.

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio were most affected by the severe thunderstorms that began Sunday. North Dakota was the first to be hit by the storm that uprooted trees and left thousands without power in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.