Kentucky floods, death toll rises, complicated weather recovers
Number of deaths from Terrible flooding last week in Kentucky rose to 37 on Monday night as another severe storm threatens to bring more rain, high winds and even flash flooding to residents still trying to find their footing.
At a news conference Monday morning, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that five days after the flooding began, at least “hundreds” of people were still not in the state. The death toll is expected to still rise as search efforts resume this week.
“That will grow,” he said.
More rain, as well as the possibility of wind-damaged isolated flooding, is expected Monday afternoon, Beshear said in a video posted to Twitter. The governor encouraged residents to stay away from flooded areas and take shelter in higher ground.
“Our goal in moving in tonight is for everyone to get into a safe place,” he said. “We don’t want to have to look for anyone safe right now.”
Meanwhile, multiple reports of looting in Breathitt County and the nearby city of Hindman, Kentucky, led to nighttime curfews in some communities on Sunday.
Here’s what we know.
Two other deaths were reported on Monday night; phone number increased to 37
Two other deaths were recorded following the massive flooding, bringing the death toll to 37 as of Monday night, Beshear announced on Twitter.
“Hundreds” are yet to be counted, the governor said earlier Monday, and the death toll is expected to rise even further.
Just a day earlier, the death toll was 26, according to Beshear.
Weather complicates recovery and temporary shelter
The latest storm poses a very low risk of strong winds and hail and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service and Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service. interstate on Monday there is a slight risk of excessive rainfall leading to flash floods. Trees are expected to fall during gusty winds because of weakened roots.
The area will see another wave of showers and thunderstorms Monday night, which could last over southeastern counties through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Workers are trying to determine which lake and infrastructure has been damaged, and Beshear said some areas could be without running water for months.
Beshear also shared concerns about high temperatures for people once the storm subsides, especially those who have not found stable shelter.
“People need to be careful and it’s going to be even more difficult,” Beshear said. “When the rain stops, it’s going to be very hot and we need to make sure everyone is stable at that point.”
With homes swept away in floods and school buildings in ruins, many Kentuckians have lost their belongings and safe places to stay. About 150 residents displaced by the floods are being housed in state parks and at least the same number are in Red Cross shelters as of Monday, Beshear said. “We just got to the point where people need a bed.”
Reports of ‘excessive looting’ lead to curfew
As the restoration process continued, more reports of looting led to nighttime curfews in some communities.
A countywide curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. was implemented Sunday night in Breathitt County; There are only exceptions for ambulances, first responders and people traveling on business.
“I hate to impose a curfew, but looting will absolutely not be tolerated. Our friends and neighbors have lost so much – we can’t just stand by and allow them to lose their treasures. what they have left,” District Attorney Brendon Miller said on Facebook. parcel.
“Excessive looting” resulted in Hindman, Kentucky, Mayor Tracy Neice imposing a sunset curfew on the city’s residents.
“If you take advantage of people in their time of need, you’ve got the disease,” Neice said. “You won’t hurt my people. You will not. “
Progress continues in rescue efforts
In areas where bridges have been damaged or completely wiped out, rescuers are trying to figure out how to reach people stranded on the other side of rivers and creeks, Beshear said.
According to Beshear, workers are transporting water to people who cannot be safely reached by rescuers, while focusing on emergency housing. Search and rescue teams are still actively working to identify those reported missing and search for them.
“I anticipate that we will continue that for at least the next few days, although we are certainly working from home urgently at the same time,” Beshear said.
General Daniel Hokanson, director of the US National Guard, said about 400 people had been rescued by National Guard helicopters as of Sunday. He estimated that the guard rescued nearly 20 people by boat from hard-to-reach areas.
At least 12,000 people in the region remain without electricity, nearly double the number at the start of the floods. Beshear estimates it will take millions of dollars to restore lost infrastructure in eastern Kentucky counties.
The search and rescue team makes a heartbreaking discovery
The rain returned and began early Sunday afternoon as search and rescue teams made an important, but grim, discovery in Perry County, Kentucky.
A body was found and then eventually pulled from Troublesome Creek along Kentucky Route 476, south of Ary.
And the clattering radios and quick chat among emergency workers revealed a second body had been dragged further down the creek.
Several quick responders emerged from a bush blocking part of the creek, hauling a sled carrying a black body bag onto the embankment.
Water at the door, where to go: A woman’s story of survival
As floodwaters rumbled up around her, Jessica Willett cut the cord from the vacuum cleaner and tied herself to her two children.
The 34-year-old heard a loud bang and cracking sound as the cataclysm tore her producer home on Bowling Creek, a remote and steep area in Kentucky. The floor was filled with water, her car parked outside was washed away.
Hugging 3-year-old son Isaiah and 11-year-old daughter Nevaeh in one bedroom, Willett felt the house was about to leave its foundation. She hoped the mattress would float. And she prays that being tied up can keep her children from being swept up in a stream full of trees, sheet metal and cars alone.
“At least I can try to save them,” she said. “If they find us, they will find us together.”
Contributions: Louisville Courier-Journal; Related press