Kentucky flooding, California wildfire death tolls rise

Aug 01, 2022

Shannon Longworth Reporter

By Shannon Longworth (Reporter), Brent Jabbour (Producer)

Natural disasters are taking a toll on opposite ends of the country as California is fighting its worst wildfire of 2022 and flooding in Kentucky has taken at least 30 lives. Severe weather conditions continue to cause issues for officials responding to the two situations.

In Northern California, two people have died in the McKinney Fire. The wildfire has ravaged more than 50,000 acres as it scorches areas near its border with Oregon. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated as authorities struggle to contain the wildfire. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s said two people were found dead inside a burned vehicle in the driveway of a home in the path of the fire.

Wildfire season has seemingly become a year round event in California, as nine of the state’s ten largest have occurred since 2010.

Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said flooding in the eastern region of the state has claimed at least 30 lives. Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding, which washed away bridges and homes.

Beshear warned Monday that weather conditions remain an issue.

“If things weren’t hard enough on the people of this region there, they’re getting rain right now,” Beshear said during a briefing about the flooding. “There is severe storm potential today and all of the impacted areas.”

More rain is expected into Tuesday, including in many of the areas most affected by flooding, causing concern that the damage could become more severe.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Shannon Longworth:

The death toll continues to climb from two ongoing natural disasters on opposite ends of the country.

We begin in California where Two people have died in the McKinney Fire—it’s the state’s largest wildfire so far this year. It’s ravaged more than 50-thousand acres as it continues to burn in the northern part of the state near the border with Oregon.

Homes are destroyed and more than 2-thousand people have evacuated with virtually none of the fire contained.
Nine of California’s top ten largest wildfires have occurred since 2010.

Meanwhile, flooding in Kentucky has taken at least 30 lives, according to the Governor. Heavy rainfall in the eastern part of the state caused flash flooding, washing away bridges and houses.

Andy Beshear:

“If things weren’t hard enough on the people of this region there, they’re getting rain right now. Right now, though it’s ending real soon, Floyd, Magoffin, Knott and Pike have been under a flash flood warning that is ending soon, but there is severe storm potential today and all of the impacted areas.”

Shannon Longworth:

Experts say they’re expecting more rain into Tuesday, in nearly every hard hit area – so the damage could become even more severe.