At least 16 people have been killed due to massive floods caused by heavy rains in eastern Kentucky, the governor of the state, Andy Bashir, said today (Saturday). The governor added that the number of dead is expected to rise, with six children among the dead.
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President of the United States Joe Biden Declared the floods a “major disaster,” and ordered federal aid to aid local recovery efforts, with more than 23 people left without power.
“We had to swim out and it was over my head. It was scary.” The death toll in the devastating flash floods that hit Kentucky this week has risen to 16 and is expected to increase as rescue efforts continue. Follow live updates. https://t.co/FclssI11Xk pic.twitter.com/JzXMXn4nFr
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 29, 2022
After an aerial tour with the National Guard, Bashir said the flooding “is by far the worst” he’s seen. Parts of cities are submerged under water, and some areas are blocked off, he said.
AERIAL FOOTAGE: Video shows flooding in Whitesburg, KY following an unprecedented record level of water along the North Fork Kentucky River. #kywx
THE LATEST: https://t.co/XYugsNGRgE pic.twitter.com/n0aSaq21j2
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 29, 2022
As mentioned, the floods occurred after a sequence of heavy rains since the beginning of the week. “More rains are expected at the beginning of next week,” Bashir said, calling on people to prepare for it.