For now, the death toll is 16 and there are also children. Joe Biden declared a state of disaster. The images are impressive
The count, for now, of 16 deaths. Houses, farms, streets overwhelmed by furious floods. Much of Kentucky in full emergency from the night between Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th July. The governor of the state, Andy Beshear, warns: Unfortunately the provisional loss toll. At this time we are also struggling to reach the most affected places. Among the victims there are also children. We have lost track of entire families. President Joe Biden has stated it state of natural disaster in 13 Kentucky counties, ensuring a first tranche of federal funds for local authorities and non-governmental organizations involved in relief efforts and shelter construction.
The firefighters, the soldiers of the National Guard, the civil protection units are mobilized. Many people took refuge on the roofs of the houses. So far, at least 50 people have been rescued using helicopters and at least 300 by rubber dinghies and boats. The images and testimonials are impressive. The population was surprised by the violence of the rains. The freeways in eastern Kentucky have turned into swirling streams, dragging out of control cars. In the towns, at least 23,000 users remained without electricity.
Il New York Times collected the story of Jannie Adams, 50, of Whitesburg. On Thursday she got up at dawn to go to work. She opened the door and found herself facing the flooded courtyard. She had happened before, so she headed for the car anyway, while her 18-year-old son, Maddox, watched her from the window. At one point the water rose suddenly and very quickly. The woman was overwhelmed. Maddox ran, clung to a tree and with great difficulty managed to grab his mother, finding refuge on the embankment of a railway. The two called for help. Reply: Climb to the roofs. Eventually they managed to escape thanks to the arrival of the neighbors with canoes.
Bad weather also caused damage and flooding in St. Louis, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia.
July 29, 2022 (change July 29, 2022 | 20:34)
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