Four people have died in Kentucky after severe thunderstorms brought treacherous floods to the state over the weekend. 

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Saturday, as flash flood warnings were issued across parts of Kentucky and Indiana, according to the National Weather Service.

The governor’s office warned that up to seven inches of rain could fall in parts of Kentucky through late evening.

He also said on social media that flooding had killed three people in Madison County and one in Jackson County. 

‘Kentucky, I have some tough news to share. We’ve lost three people in Madison County and one in Jackson County due to flooding,’ Beshear said via a Facebook statement.

‘Please join Britainy and me as we pray for their families during this difficult time,’ he added.

Two flood victims – a man and a woman – were found dead inside their Richmond home.

The Madison County coroner’s office said floodwaters quickly filled the streets in the area and left residents trapped in their homes.

Another victim was pulled from a vehicle trapped in perilous floodwaters on Tates Creek Road near Lexington, according to the coroner’s office. 

Rescue crews were on the scene going door to door, scouting out victims in the most affected areas, Deputy Madison County Coroner Carlos Coyle said. 

Coyle added that some areas hit the hardest by the storms were unable to be accessed. 

Earlier Saturday, Beshear said on social media floodwaters inundated major routes, noting there were ‘significant roads underwater.’ 

The governor also said at least 12 state roads were ‘out of commission’ due to flooding. 

‘This is a serious flooding event, where teams have already had to conduct multiple water rescues from vehicles and homes across the commonwealth,’ he said in a separate statement.

‘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,’ Beshear added.

 In northwest Kentucky near Louisville, Bullitt County emergency officials told residents on a rural road to evacuate as a precaution after a landslide at a dam embankment. 

The structure remained stable, with no signs it was near collapse.  

By late Saturday afternoon, some areas in southwestern Indiana had already been drenched with four to ten inches of rain.

The area saw about three inches of rain in the past two days, according to the National Weather Service.