Disastrous flash floods and torrential rain have killed at least 15 people in Kentucky and the death toll is expected to double and include children, it was announced this morning.
The catastrophic downpours have obliterated entire towns – submerging houses, cars, and buildings in flood water as emergency services desperately scramble to save those who are trapped.
Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear announced the mounting death toll this morning – as he braced the state for fatalities to double as warned the count is ‘going to include some children.’
Homes with families inside were ‘completely swept away in the middle of the night, possibly while they were sleeping,’ the Governor said today.
DEADLY FLOODS: A shocking aerial view of homes submerged under flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Kentucky, on July 28. The Governor has warned that the death toll is expected to double and include children
15 PEOPLE DEAD: Members of the Jackson Fire Department prepare to conduct search and rescue operations downtown in Jackson in the early hours of Friday morning
KENTUCKY: Flash flooding caused by torrential rains has killed at least 15 people in eastern Kentucky and left some residents stranded on rooftops and in tree
THE FLOOD RAGES ON: Members of the Winchester, Kentucky, Fire Department walk inflatable boats across flood waters over Kentucky State Road 15 to pick up people stranded by the floodwaters on Thursday
KENTUCKY: An aerial view of a car on a road submerged under flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Kentucky, on July 28
DESTRUCTION: A car is submerged in flood waters along Right Beaver Creek, following a day of heavy rain in in Garrett, Kentucky
Bashear told CNN on Friday morning: ‘There’s going to be multiple families that we’ve lost. Kids that won’t get the opportunity to grow up and experience so much that we have.
‘This is so deadly, and it hit so hard, and it hit in the middle of the night. We’ve never seen something like this.’
Devastating images show the catastrophic destruction the flooding has caused on the state, with cars floating through streets which now resemble riverways.
Homes and businesses have been nearly submerged up to their rooves in the unrelenting deadly torrent.
A series of storms drenching the eastern part of the state has dropped water that has yet to crest, leaving damage that could take years to repair, said Beshear.
The Governor declared a state of emergency in six counties on Thursday morning.
Rain water was as high as the leaves of nearby trees and power poles were sticking up from greenish brown water, images from the destruction revealed.
The number of people dead as a result of the deadly weather system reached eight yesterday – but the toll has now reached 15.
KENTUCKY: An abandoned pick-up truck is seen submerged under flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Kentucky
DEADLY STORM: A house is seen half submerged by flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Kentucky. The death toll, which is expected to continue rising, has now reached 15
KENTUCKY: Roads have turned into rivers and lakes in the unrelenting flooding plaguing the state of Kentucky this week
HOMES SUBMERGED: The number of people dead as a result of the deadly weather system reached eight yesterday – but the toll has now reached 15
Beshear said yesterday: ‘We are currently experiencing one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentucky’s history. Hundreds will lose their homes.’
Among the dead was an 81-year-old woman in Perry County, and the local authorities say several people are unaccounted for.
‘This is an ongoing natural disaster, with more rain expected tonight that could worsen the situation,’ Beshear said yesterday.
The flooding has left nearly 24,000 households without power in eastern Kentucky, according to the Poweroutage.us website.
Floyd County Judge-Executive Robbie Williams said that over 80 people had been rescued since heavy rain began in the area on Thursday – and said that small towns are braced to be completely under water.
He said: ‘I’ve never seen this much water before. I mean it just absolutely poured and we’ve got, you know, some small towns that are completely underwater.’
STREETS LIKE RIVERS: James Jacobs signals to a National Guard helicopter flying overhead, following a day of heavy rain in in Garrett, Kentucky
CHILDREN AMONG THE DEAD: Brave members of the fire department brace for rescue missions during nightfall on Thursday as the death toll is expected to double today
KENTUCKY FLOODS: Members of the Morehead Fire Department conduct search and rescue operations downtown on July 28, 2022 in Jackson, Kentucky
Yesterday, the state activated the national guard and the state police to use helicopters and boats to rescue people marooned among the floodwaters.
Evacuation centers were opened in state parks and other facilities, but Beshear warned that some of the facilities themselves were hard-hit by the storms, and may not have power or some amenities.
In a tweet this morning, Beshear said: ‘Central and Eastern Kentucky remain in a flood watch today. While rain totals are not expected to be as high, flooding still remains a concern due to saturated grounds. Please stay safe and alert, Kentucky.’