Rescue crews swept through Troublesome Creek on Friday to rescue those trapped since Wednesday night in Lost Creek, Ky.
Image Michael Swensen / Getty
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Image Michael Swensen / Getty
Rescue crews swept through Troublesome Creek on Friday to rescue those trapped since Wednesday night in Lost Creek, Ky.
Image Michael Swensen / Getty
At least 16 people have died and many have not been found after heavy rains caused massive flooding in areas of eastern Kentucky and surrounding Appalachian communities. More rain is forecast, with floods continuing through Friday night.
Homes, businesses and roads were flooded after severe weather affected parts of Kentucky and into West Virginia and Virginia earlier this week, and search and rescue efforts are continuing. customary.
On Thursday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the disaster was “one of the worst, most devastating floods in the history of Kentucky.”
Beshear deployed the National Guard and declared a state of emergency in several counties, report member station WUKY’s Karyn Czar. President Biden announced a major disaster for Kentucky on Friday and asked for federal aid to help recovery efforts.
At least 12 counties and two cities in Kentucky have also declared their own states of emergency.
Beshear told the AP news agency that some of the victims were children and that the death toll could double as emergency crews continue to search the area.
He said the lack of mobile service and reliable forms of communication made it impossible for the state to collect reliable numbers on them. Beshear estimates that nearly 300 people were rescued by plane or boat.
The Kentucky River is 6 feet higher than the previous record, and the water probably won’t recede until Saturday, NPR’s Jeanine Herbst reported.
Search and rescue teams, backed by the National Guard, are still searching for the missing. Emergency crews were able to transport dozens of people.
Josh James of WUKY report that hundreds of people will be homeless and that recovery could take years in some parts of the state.
Ten shelters have received more than 300 people.
On Friday, state and local officials ordered the evacuation of parts of Jackson, Ky., after raising concerns about an impending Panbowl dam failure. On Friday morning, Beshear said officials were “a little more optimistic but still concerned.”
Power outages continued into Friday for parts of the Kentucky and Appalachian communities. About 33,000 people lost power in the area, according to PowerOutage.US.
Heavy rain is forecast to continue in central and eastern Kentucky. Some areas will be monitored for flooding until 10 p.m. ET National Weather Service.
In West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice announced State of emergency for six counties where floods toppled trees, lost power and blocked roads. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also declared a state of emergency for flooded areas in the southwestern part of the state.
“With more rainfall forecast over the next few days, we want to provide as many resources as possible to support those affected.” Youngkin said.
