United States: Kentucky hit by deadly floods
Flooded buildings in Breathitt County, in the US state of Kentucky, on July 29, 2022. Getty Images via AFP - MICHAEL SWENSEN
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
At least 16 people have died in the "worst" floods in Kentucky's history and the toll could still double, as the rains did not stop on Friday July 29 to fall on this rural state in the center of the United States.
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Torrential rains fell on eastern Kentucky overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, July 28, turning some roads into rivers and forcing residents to take refuge on the roofs of their homes while waiting for help.
Others found themselves trapped by the rising waters or swept away by the waves in their vehicles.
The toll is “
appalling
,” Governor Andy Beshear said.
“
We now have 16 confirmed deaths, and this number will still grow considerably
,” said the elected Democrat at a press conference.
Four brothers and sisters, aged between one and a half and eight years old, were swept away by the waters when they had taken refuge at the top of a tree with their parents.
The bodies of two of them have been recovered and two remain missing, according to local newspaper
Lexington Herald Leader
.
An 82-year-old woman also drowned while trying to get to safety, authorities said.
In the most affected places, houses were submerged, the lightest torn from the ground.
"
Hundreds of people have lost everything
" and it will take at least a year to rebuild, said Andy Beshear.
I'm in Eastern Kentucky today, and the situation is even more devastating to see firsthand.
Please, help our families—this is going to be a long road to recovery.
Donate now at https://t.co/HcZYxMB0v1.
pic.twitter.com/TlryGoZAUt
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 29, 2022
In the meantime, the emergency services, supported by reinforcements sent by neighboring states, are all mobilized to come to the aid of the victims.
About 50 air rescues, with National Guard helicopters, and hundreds of boat rescues have already taken place, according to the governor.
“
But there is so much water, the currents are so strong that we cannot reach everyone
,” he lamented.
President Joe Biden declared a state of "
natural disaster
" and released federal reinforcements to support areas affected by "
storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides
".
Heavy rain is expected until Friday evening, and the flood alert has been maintained.
With agencies
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