Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the death toll has climbed to 15 people and expected it to double following “historic” flooding.
“There’s going to be multiple families that we’ve lost,” Beshear told Brianna Keilar on CNN’s “New Day.” “Kids that won’t get the opportunity to grow up and experience so much that we have.”
“This is so deadly, and it hit so hard, and it hit in the middle of the night,” he said, adding even though eastern Kentucky experiences floods, “we’ve never seen something like this.”
Beshear tweeted moments ago that President Biden approved his “initial request for a disaster declaration in Kentucky.”
.@POTUS has approved my initial request for a disaster declaration in Kentucky. This is great, much-needed news for Eastern Kentucky. This federal funding is critical for our recovery efforts and Kentuckians impacted by the historic flooding.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 29, 2022
Aerial views show the widespread devastation in the eastern part of the state.
AERIAL FOOTAGE: Video shows flooding in Whitesburg, KY following an unprecedented record level of water along the North Fork Kentucky River. #kywx
THE LATEST: https://t.co/XYugsNGRgE pic.twitter.com/n0aSaq21j2
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) July 29, 2022
Drone shots of the #Flooding in #Kentucky after it the water has receded several feet. #KyWx pic.twitter.com/UPgp6XRzx4
— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) July 28, 2022
The devastation that catastrophic flooding leaves behind always leaves me feeling hopeless, but today, I saw a lot of good people running towards Kentucky to help our neighbors.
?Whitesburg, KY pic.twitter.com/5bzmi9iRDb
— Billy Bowling (@babowling12) July 28, 2022
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday night, at least eight people perished, and dozens were rescued from rooftops due to historic flooding in eastern Kentucky.
“We’re gonna end up with double-digit deaths. Right now, I believe we can confirm at least eight,” Beshear told local news WLEX.
“Tonight, we need your continued prayers for the people of Eastern Kentucky. This is an ongoing natural disaster, with more rain expected tonight that could worsen the situation. The death toll has heartbreakingly risen to 8 Kentuckians lost,” Beshear tweeted, and also within the tweet was a video statement where the governor called the flooding “historic.”
The governor said 30 people were air rescued thanks to the National Guard. He added the worst might not be over as officials are bracing for more deaths as rescue efforts continue Friday.
