At least 16 people have been confirmed dead as a result of record flooding in eastern Kentucky, authorities said, warning that the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue teams look for missing people from communities washed away by the waters.
“The tough news is 16 confirmed fatalities now, and folks that’s going to get a lot higher,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during a Friday morning briefing. Beshear said the dead included elderly men and women, and two children.
Powerful floodwaters swallowed towns that hug creeks and streams in valleys and hollows in the United States’ Appalachia region, swamping homes and businesses, trashing vehicles in useless piles and crushing runaway equipment and debris against bridges.
Mudslides marooned people on steep slopes and tens of thousands of customers were without power on Friday afternoon.
“Everybody out there that is scared, that can’t get in touch with one of their relatives. Cell phones are down in so many of these regions,” Beshear said. “We will try to connect as many people as possible.
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Article URL : https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/29/death-toll-rises-in-kentucky-flooding-as-rescue-efforts-continue