PARIS (AFP) - Torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods in Appalachia, as fast-rising water killed at least fifteen people in Kentucky and sent people scurrying to rooftops to be rescued.
Water gushed from hillsides and flooded out of streambeds, inundating homes, businesses and roads throughout eastern Kentucky. Parts of western Virginia and southern West Virginia also saw extensive flooding. Rescue crews used helicopters and boats to pick up people trapped by floodwaters.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Friday that the state’s death toll from flooding had risen to fifteen in eastern Kentucky and was expected to climb higher.
“It is devastating. Our number of Kentuckians we’ve lost is now at 15, expected to more than double. And it’s going to include some children,” Beshear told CNN.
The flooding that has hit Eastern Kentucky is absolutely devastating and there is even more rain expected. Like the tornadoes, helping our families rebuild and recover is going to be a long, hard process.
In Breathitt County in Kentucky, Krystal Holbrook’s family raced against surging floodwaters in the early morning hours to move possessions to higher ground. Their ordeal began around 4am Thursday, as they scurried in the dark to move vehicles, campers, trailers and farm equipment. But as the water kept rising throughout the day, the concern was that “higher ground is getting a little bit difficult”, she said.
“It looks like a huge lake back here,” she said.
Beshear warned that property damage in Kentucky would be widespread. The governor said officials were setting up a site for donations that would go to residents affected by the flooding.
Dangerous conditions and continued rainfall hampered rescue efforts Thursday, the governor said.
Flash flooding and mudslides were reported across the mountainous region of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and southern West Virginia, where thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain over the past few days.
With more rain expected in the area, the National Weather Service said additional flooding was possible into Friday in much of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. Forecasters said the highest threat of flash flooding was expected to shift farther east into West Virginia.