Death toll from Eastern Kentucky floods continues to rise, more rescue efforts underway

At least eight deaths have been confirmed out of the Eastern Kentucky counties affected by severe flooding Thursday, according to a spokesperson with Gov. Andy Beshear’s office.

As of late Thursday, other officials were reporting more.

“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. Thank you to our heroic first responders for doing such important work,” Gov. Beshear said in a Facebook post.

“The numbers, I think, are going to be really hard to tell right now because some of the people they haven’t got to yet, and I’m sure some the coroners haven’t been able to report them,” Kentucky State Police spokesman Shane Goodall told the Herald-Leader Thursday night.

It’s pretty much impossible to have an exact count at this point due to many missing people, Goodall said, but more deaths are expected once the floodwaters recede.

Police were still rescuing people with helicopters in places where no one can get to, Goodall continued.

He confirmed there was a report of four children missing from Knott County as of Thursday night.

Here’s what the Herald-Leader has confirmed so far with various authorities.

One death has been confirmed in Perry County due to severe flash flooding which struck Eastern Kentucky Wednesday night. Beshear said the victim was an elderly woman, who deputy coroner Jeff Combs said was 82.

According to Combs, the victim, who has not yet been named, drowned in the Coneva community of Perry County. The death was reported around 10:48 a.m. She had reportedly left her house trying to get to higher ground.

The victim went missing around midnight or 1 a.m. Thursday and was discovered around 8 or 9 a.m. Thursday, said Combs. Others are unaccounted for.

Perry County Sheriff Joe Engle said the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife were on the scene with the county coroner to investigate and remove the individual from the water.

Seven people were confirmed dead in Knott County, Coroner Corey Watson said.

With rain continuing to come down, one official said “conditions are horrendous” to help rescue those who need help.

“We are having a very difficult time getting to people,” Engle said. “Roads are blocked by trees, washed away completely or covered with water. It is now physically impossible to get to some people.”

Engle said assisting agencies such as volunteer fire departments are also having a hard time getting to those needing rescue.

Engle said the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife will be handling investigations into fatalities.

Thursday morning, Beshear declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding. Counties that have declared local emergencies include Floyd, Breathitt, Clay, Owsley, Letcher and Pike.

In Clay County, Brian Jackson, deputy director of Clay County Emergency Management said law enforcement agencies are responding to two “probable” drowning deaths, but those have not been confirmed.

Beshear stated his administration expects loss of life to occur because of the flooding.

“What we’re going to see coming out of this is massive property damage. We expect the loss of life. Hundreds will lose their homes,” he said. “This is going to be yet another event that’s going to take not months, but likely years for many families to rebuild and recover from.”

Staff writer Valarie Honeycutt-Spears contributed to this report. This story may be updated.