Kentucky School Advocate

April 2025

By Brenna R. Kelly

Staff writer

So far, 2025 has been hard on Kentucky school districts. 

In February, flood waters from severe storms ravaged the state killing 24 people and prompting 14 counties to be declared federal disaster areas. The storms hit eastern Kentucky particularly hard. Many schools in the region were damaged by flood waters and, in response, countless others opened their doors as shelters for the community. 

Then in early April, record rainfall led to flash flooding and severe flooding of rivers and streams across the state. As in February, water breached some school buildings while others provided shelter to their communities. 

“Each time the people of Kentucky face hardship/disaster, our schools open their doors and become shelters – safe havens for so many in our communities,” Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher posted on April 6. “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who steps up to help their neighbors. Your compassion truly defines who we are.” 

On April 7, at least a dozen districts closed to in-person instruction due to flooding. Others were already closed for spring break. As flood waters from the nearby Kentucky River crept into Frankfort Independent’s Second Street School, across town, flood victims sought shelter in Franklin County Schools’ Franklin County High School. 

Employees help transform Franklin County High Schools’ gym into an emergency shelter on April 6 for those impacted by Kentucky River flooding in Frankfort. Photo: Franklin County Schools 

Just three days earlier, a Franklin County student died after being swept away by flood waters while walking to his bus stop. Police said they received a call at 6:35 a.m. on April 4 that the 9-year-old boy was caught in the water. 

“We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students,” Franklin County Superintendent Mark Kopp said. “We are more than a school system, we are a family at Franklin County Schools, and we share this loss together.” 

As the record rainfall arrived in April, many districts were still recovering from February’s floods. From Feb. 14-16, up to 6 inches of rain fell across the state with all 120 counties reporting some flooding and at least a dozen rivers recording top five crests, according to the National Weather Service. 

Pike County Schools students were out of school for three weeks after the floods. The district’s five high schools served as emergency shelters, then, after the water receded, they turned into distribution centers for cleaning supplies, clothes, toiletries and food. 

Many schools in the impacted areas also served hot meals; for example on March 3 Pike County Schools’ cafeteria staff, board members, administrators, teachers, school support staff and other volunteers served 27,250 breakfasts and 27,250 lunches totaling 54,500 meals – enough for each child to receive five breakfasts and five lunches for the coming week, the district said. 

In the days after the flood, Pike County Schools board member Stephany Lowe and the Pike Central High School and University of Pikeville cheerleaders helped clean Johns Creek Elementary School which took on flood water. 

During the flood, more than 100 people sought shelter at Pike County’s Belfry High School. At one point, high water cut off access to the school, leaving those in the building stranded. 

When the water receded, the schools transitioned to helping people in the area recover. 

“We put a call out on social media the Monday following the flood that we had some trucks coming in, and Tuesday morning there were over 300 volunteers,” Belfry Principal Boo Hager said in a Facebook video. “It was amazing to see all those people show up to help.” 

Pike County Schools board member Stephany Lowe (center in pink) helps clean Johns Creek Elementary School after water breached the building in February. Photo: Pike County Schools At Pikeville Independent, the high school’s athletic fields were covered with water and the front office suffered significant damage.

Throughout the district’s two-week closure, Pikeville Independent Superintendent David Trimble posted daily updates on Facebook showing the work going in to getting the schools reopened.  

“It is amazing to me how meticulous this team is, as they work to assure that everything is cleaned and then sanitized,” he said of the Servpro workers brought in to help. “They have cleaned every chair leg, the bottom of every appliance, every inch of floor, and now they are returning to sanitize.” 

In Floyd County, many of the district’s schools opened as emergency shelters, then they provided food, electricity and showers to the community. The district was also closed for three weeks after the flood and, like many districts, decided to extend the school day by 30 minutes per day to make up for the lost time. 

On March 31, Pikeville Independent suffered more damage when severe storms again hit the area. The district’s central office was damaged and Allen Central High School gymnasium’s roof and entrance suffered significant damage. 

Though the total amount of monetary damage from the February storms has not been determined, as of early March, Kentucky Emergency Management reported that the floods resulted in more than $58 million of damage to public infrastructure alone. 

Of the state’s 120 counties, 73 were approved for FEMA public assistance with 14 counties receiving an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government. Those counties include Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Simpson.