Kentucky flood death toll rises to 15
Kentucky flood death toll rises to 15
The death toll from flooding in eastern Kentucky has risen to 15, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said Friday morning. Heavy rains that have not stopped for days have flooded homes, washed out roads and caused rivers to overflow.
“We’ve lost at least 15 Kentuckians, although that number will grow, probably more than double,” Beshear said, noting that 23,000 homes and businesses were left without power. – This situation is evolving. We are still in search and rescue mode.”
The flooding situation in Eastern Kentucky is ongoing, with a flood watch in effect through today. Heartbreakingly, we can confirm at least 15 deaths, but we expect that number to grow. Over 23,000 Kentuckians are without power. 1/3 https://t.co/mrx4htJY0k
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 29, 2022
President Joe Biden declared a state of disaster in Kentucky on Friday and ordered federal aid to flood-stricken counties, the White House said.
The National Guard and state police used helicopters and boats to rescue dozens of people from homes and cars. Video footage taken by eyewitnesses shows that some homes have gone under water almost entirely and roads have turned into rivers.
Flood warnings remain in effect throughout Friday for the eastern part of the state, as well as northeast Tennessee and western West Virginia, the National Weather Service said.
River levels across the region are expected to rise Friday and throughout the weekend, while the risk of dangerous flash flooding remained likely throughout the day, the National Weather Service said.