The still tentative death toll from the devastating floods in Kentucky has risen to 37 as severe weather continues, 1is August the governor of this southeastern American state. “We end the day with heartbreaking news from Eastern Kentucky. We can confirm that the death toll now stands at 37, with many more missing.”announced on Twitter Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky. “Let us pray for these families”he added.
We are ending the day with more heartbreaking news out of Eastern Kentucky. We can confirm the death toll has now r… https://t.co/pTwpy5mNkN
Beshear said the death toll is likely to rise as relief workers reach flood-hit areas and find more bodies. Their search was hampered by further rain on Monday and further thunderstorms were expected overnight. “As if the situation was not difficult enough for the inhabitants of this region, they have rain at the moment”regretted the governor during a press briefing earlier in the day.
New bad weather to come
The National Weather Service has placed most of eastern Kentucky on flood alert through Tuesday morning and warned on Twitter of a risk of thunderstorms tonight in the area:
“Heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding as well as severe thunderstorms is possible. »
The floods, which began last week and are among the most severe to ever hit Kentucky. The State, particularly underprivileged, was completely swept away. Damage to mobile phone antennas complicated rescue efforts and estimating the number of dead and missing. On Sunday, the governor said bodies would be found “for weeks, many of which will have been swept away hundreds of meters”.
President Joe Biden has decreed the state of ” natural disaster “ and unlocked Federal reinforcements.