At least 8 dead in flash flooding eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian region; neighboring states also flooded
At least eight people were killed and more fatalities expected as record rainfall unleashed flash floods in eastern Kentucky, in the Appalachian foothills, on Thursday.
Several inches of rain fell overnight.
Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and activated the Kentucky National Guard as flooding washed away vehicles and sent people scrambling to their rooftops or clinging to trees to await rescue.
Buildings and roads are flooded near Lost Creek, Ky., on Thursday. (Ryan C. Hermens/)
The governor confirmed that one of the victims was an 81-year-old woman. He said he expected more deaths given the scope of the disaster.
“We are currently experiencing one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentucky’s history,” Beshear said. “The situation is dynamic and ongoing. In most places we are not seeing receding water — in fact, in most places it has not crested yet. What we are going to see coming out of this is massive property damage, and we expect loss of life.
“Hundreds will lose their homes,” he said. “And this will be yet another event that will take not months, but years, for our families to rebuild and recover from.”
Homes are flooded by Lost Creek, Ky., on Thursday. (Ryan C. Hermens/)
At least 8 to 12 inches of rain had fallen in some areas overnight, with another 2 to 3 inches expected Thursday night amid continuing storms, the National Weather Service said.
Flash flooding and mudslides extended into the mountainous regions of western Virginia and southern West Virginia in addition to eastern Kentucky.
Perry County Emergency Management Director Jerry Stacy called it a “catastrophic event” and said he had never seen anything like it.
Bonnie Combs, right, hugs her 10-year-old granddaughter Adelynn Bowling watches as her property becomes covered by the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Ky., on Thursday. (Timothy D. Easley/)
“We’re just in the rescue mode right now,” said Stacy, 54. “Extreme flash flooding and mudslides are just everywhere. I’ve lived here in Perry County all my life and this is by the far the worst event I’ve ever seen.”
Drone footage obtained by local broadcaster WKYT-TV showed the damage in the town of Hindman. Late Thursday afternoon the St. Louis Fire Department tweeted that multiple people, including children, were trapped in a day-care center amid rising waters.
Home and structures are flooded near Quicksand, Ky., on Thursday. (Ryan C. Hermens/)
Black Hawk helicopters were plucking people from rooftops, including a school, Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, head of Kentucky’s Army and Air National Guard said at a midday news conference. The West Virginia National Guard was also assisting, sending two UH-60M Blackhawks and two UH-72 Lakota aircraft to its neighbor, reported WDTV-TV.
“This isn’t just a disaster; it’s an ongoing natural disaster,” Beshear said. “We are in the midst of it, and for some places it will continue through tonight.”
Homes are flooded by Lost Creek, Ky., on Thursday, July 28, 2022. (Ryan C. Hermens/)
The state is still rebuilding from a spate of tornadoes in December that leveled some western Kentucky towns and killed more than 70 people.
Beshear promised eastern Kentuckians just as much support, immediately launching the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund to solicit donations for those in need.
With News Wire Services
