LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky. announced Monday, Feb. 24 severe winter weather has now killed 22 people in Kentucky.

The latest confirmed death was a man in Marshall County who died because of hypothermia.

The governor said he’s still waiting on the federal government to approve his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration.

“This has been a tough nine or 10 days, and we are hoping the federal government will come through for us by approving funding to help our families and communities recover,” said Beshear.

The declaration would make individual and public assistance funding available to affected communities.

“As we wait, I want you all to know that you have my promise: I’ll do everything I can to help. And we’ll do everything we can to rebuild just as quickly as we can,” said Beshear.

The governor said high water is still affecting travel, mainly in western and southern Kentucky. Crews are responding, and assessing damage on 89 state highways that remain closed, including 10 from mudslides and rockslides.

The Kentucky National Guard is helping remove debris in several eastern Kentucky counties. Beshear said guardsmen will transport critical supplies from distribution centers in Martin and Pike counties.

Kentucky State Parks are sheltering 253 people at six state resort parks. The governor said more rooms are available if needed. 

The governor’s Team Kentucky Storm Relief fund has raised $300,689 to help pay for each victim’s funeral. Over 3,000 people donated money to the fund.

At the end of last week, the governor said the state was moving from the search-and-rescue phase to the stabilization phase. On Feb. 14, ahead of the heavy rains, the governor declared a state of emergency. On Feb. 15, Beshear requested, and President Donald Trump granted, an emergency disaster declaration for Kentucky.