Kentucky Community Demands Answers After 9-Year-Old Dies in Floodwaters During School Commute

The death of Gabriel Andrews has intensified scrutiny on safety decisions as severe storms devastate the Midwest and South.

Nine-year-old Gabriel Andrews was swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop in Franklin County, Kentucky, on Friday morning.
Franklin County Schools chose to keep schools open despite a National Weather Service flash flood warning, sparking criticism from parents and community members.
Authorities, including the Franklin County Police Department and Coroner’s Office, are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s death.
Severe weather across the Midwest and South has caused at least 23 fatalities, with Kentucky particularly hard-hit, leaving over 500 state roads closed.
Governor Andy Beshear and local educators have expressed condolences, as the community grieves and calls for accountability in the wake of the tragedy.