Beshear confirms first weather-related death in Kentucky during winter storm

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the first weather-related death in Kentucky during the winter storm.

According to a social media post by Beshear, a 72-year-old woman in Whitley County has died of hypothermia.

Kentucky, I’ve got some sad news to share. We’ve confirmed one fatality in Whitley County with the passing of a 72-year-old woman due to hypothermia. Please join me in praying for her family during this difficult time.

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) January 26, 2026

Details are limited at this time. The individual’s name has not been released to the public.

The death follows an overnight drop in temperatures into Monday during the current winter weather conditions that have swept snow and ice across multiple Kentucky counties.

The weather system has resulted in thousands of power outages, according to local utility companies.