On Sunday, after more than two dozen people were reported deceased and rescue operations continued, Gov. Andy Beshear is scheduled to travel to flood-devastated counties of eastern Kentucky.
According to Beshear, as of Sunday, at least 26 people had perished as a result of severe storms that resulted in record-breaking flash flooding, mudslides, and landslides. The governor claimed in a video on YouTube that although his office was aware of additional bodies, it was unable to “confirm those deaths at this moment.”
“We want to make sure that we embrace our brothers and sisters in eastern Kentucky. The following several days will be challenging, “said he.
Beshear forewarned that additional rain was forecast in the coming days and that the situation might get worse.
In a news conference early on Saturday afternoon, Beshear reduced the number of fatalities from six children to four after revealing that two of the deceased were actually adults.
Beshear expressed concern that we will discover bodies in the upcoming weeks. Keep on pleading.
As rescue teams struggle to enter some of the hardest-hit districts, which are among the poorest in the country, officials have not yet been able to obtain a precise tally of the number of individuals who are still missing.
The work is made more challenging by the fact that many affected areas continue to lack mobile service, which restricts people’s ability to contact affected loved ones, according to Beshear.
According to Beshear, rescuers have so far been able to save more than 700 people using boats and aircraft from the West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee National Guards as well as a number of other organizations.
He stated, “Our objective today is to move as many people to safety as we can,” while also warning those in the affected areas to brace themselves for more rain in the coming days.
according to the National Weather Service predicts that flood warnings will be in effect in several areas of Kentucky through Sunday and Monday.
Beshear remarked, “It’s not fair that it will rain again. I don’t want to lose another person, she said.
Swift Water Rescue Teams from Lexington Firefighters go on Troublesome Creek in Lost Creek, Kentucky, on Friday to rescue persons who have become stuck due to floods.
Images by Michael Swensen / Getty
Affected areas only received between 8 and 10 1/2 inches of rain in the last two days. Nevertheless, Saturday was predicted to be the crest for some waterways.
according to Kentucky Power reports that approximately 16,000 power users were still without power on Saturday morning.
According to Beshear, fifteen emergency shelters have already been set up in the region to assist anyone impacted by the floodwaters.
After President Joe Biden declared a major catastrophe, FEMA announced Friday, federal disaster aid was made available to Kentucky.
Biden stated that he added Individual Assistance to the Major Disaster proclamation on Saturday in an effort to assist displaced families even more.
As Kentucky is likely to experience high temperatures next week, emergency officials from FEMA will provide 18 water trucks to assist make up for the lack of water availability in some places, Beshear said.
According to the governor, 19 water systems are only running to a certain extent because to the absence of power.
As of early Saturday afternoon, Beshear estimates that about 27,000 connections are without water. Another 29,000 connections receive contaminated water that must be boiled before consumption.
Beshear emphasized that the recovery and rescue phase will likely last for several weeks and that after the flood waters recede, they will have a clearer understanding of damage estimates.
