How many people have died in the flooding across Kentucky?

The casualty toll continues to rise as is expected to climb even higher in eastern Kentucky after hours of torrential rains caused extensive flooding and damage to homes and infrastructure. Over nine inches of rain fell on Hazard, Kentucky between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning alone. Flash flood warnings have been in place since Tuesday with authorities urging residents to seek refuge on higher ground.

Eastern areas of the state had already been inundated with heavy rainfall before being hit by heavy showers and thunderstorms midway through last week. A state of emergency has been declared in several counties including Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Letcher, Owsley and Pike.

Rescue operation

Gov. Jim Justice has deployed members of the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) to the stricken areas in Kentucky. Two UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters and two UH-72 Lakota helicopters with hoist capability have been carrying out rescue operations for those trapped on the roofs of their homes in the most affected areas. In Hazard, heavy rain overwhelmed the Kentucky River, creeks, streams and ground which was already waterlogged from previous rainfall while almost 50 bridges have been knocked out by flooding.

There have been some horrific and heartbreaking stories - four young children, aged one and a half to eight, were swept away from their parents’ grip as they clung for their lives on a tree. The bodies of Riley Jr. aged six and Nevaeh Noble aged four were recovered on Thursday - their siblings, Maddison Noble aged 8 and Chance Noble aged one and a half were found the following day.

Kentucky flooding death toll continues to rise

Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed on Sunday that the death toll had risen to 26 although region-wide, the real figure is being reported as over 30.

“Our death toll has risen to 26 lost – and that number will increase,” Beshear informed on his Twitter account. “There is widespread damage with many families displaced and more rain expected throughout the next day. Yesterday our first travel trailers arrived and we are working fast to establish additional shelter options. Let us wrap our arms around Eastern Kentucky and pray for those impacted. If you want to help, please donate cleaning supplies or water, or donate directly to the TeamEKYFloodReliefFund where 100% of donations go directly to Kentuckians affected”.

Flood warnings in parts of eastern Kentucky have been extended, in some cases until Monday evening.

Useful information and contact numbers