KGUN 9NewsNational News

Actions

Kentucky flooding kills at least 35, clean up continues in state's east

Severe Weather Appalachia
Posted at 4:28 AM, Aug 01, 2022
and last updated 2022-08-01 15:22:32-04

Kentucky's Gov. Andy Beshearreported that the death tollhad risen from 30 to at least 35 people on Monday after more bodies were recovered as authorities and rescue workers continued efforts to clean up and help those affected by flash flooding in the state's eastern portion.

Beshear said he expects there to be more deaths as there are hundreds of people still unaccounted for.

"We are committed to the people in eastern Kentucky," Beshear said in his press conference.

He said additional rain on Monday would hamper cleanup efforts.

"We wake up, and we see neighbors on their roofs. We have no cellphone signal, no Wi-Fi signal. Within a quarter-mile, I can't get anywhere cause there's just water completely covering both sides of the road," said Kentucky State Representative Angie Hatton as she talked about waking up to the flooding.

"There are pictures of pontoon boats going up to going up to these windows and rescuing people out of upper story windows," she added.

FEMA announced that renters and homeowners affected by the severe storms, flooding, and mudslides could apply for disaster assistance as of July 26.

This article was written by Ben Branscum for WLEX based in Lexington, Kentucky.