IN KENTUCKY, AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES ARE GONE. TORRENTIAL RAINFALL OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS IS CAUSING FLOODING ON A MASSIVE SCALE.
SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS AND THE NATIONAL GUARD ARE STILL ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS.
SOME OF THE TOWNS THAT USED TO HUG THE CREEKS AND STREAMS IN THE APPALACHIAN VALLEYS ARE COMPLETELY FLOODED. IT’S A DEVASTATING SCENE IN ONE OF THE POOREST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
RACHEL PATTON, FLOOD VICTIM: Everything is gone. Like, everything is gone. The whole life is gone.
A STATE OF EMERGENCY HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR THE IMPACTED COUNTIES. CREWS HAVE ALREADY PERFORMED CLOSE TO 50 AIR RESCUES AND HUNDREDS OF WATER RESCUES.
GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR SAID HE EXPECTS THE DEATH TOLL TO INCREASE.
BESHEAR: In a word, this event is devastating, and I do believe it will end up being one of the most significant deadly floods that we have had in Kentucky in at least a very long time.”
EVACUATION CENTERS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN STATE PARKS AND OTHER FACILITIES. MORE THAN 23,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE WITHOUT POWER.
ACCESS TO FRESH DRINKING WATER IS A CONCERN AS WELL, SO TRUCKS WILL HAVE TO HAUL IT IN ONCE THE ROADS LOOK MORE LIKE ROADS AND LESS LIKE RIVERS.
MORE RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST. THE REGION REMAINS UNDER A FLOOD WARNING.