Rescue crews rescued people from rooftops in central Appalachia on Thursday, as heavy rains unleashed some of the worst floodings in the state's history, killing at least eight people and leaving others missing, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.
As water rescue personnel sought trapped persons in hard-hit eastern Kentucky, one emergency official called the situation "catastrophic."
Gov. Andy Beshear Expects "Double-Digit Deaths" in Kentucky Floods
According to Beshear, hundreds of houses might be damaged, and the flooding is historic and continuous. At least 20 to 30 people have already been flown to safety, but officials fear there are more in need who will be more difficult to reach.
During the meeting, Beshear stated that "we predict double-digit deaths and requested assistance in collecting certain supplies for locals." Later that night, Beshear tweeted that he had requested government aid from President Biden, adding that the devastation caused is massive and rehabilitation will be a long-term commitment.
Thunderstorms deposited several inches of rain during the previous three days, causing flash flooding and mudslides in the hilly terrain of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, and southern West Virginia, CBS News reported. Aerial footage from Garrett County, Kentucky, shows residences, petrol stations, and automobiles half immersed in water. One person can be seen riding a jet ski through the floodwaters, while others wait in a boat.
According to the governor, another 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall Thursday night and into the weekend, with most of it falling overnight. Flood warnings continue to be issued for up to 4 million people in Kentucky, southern Ohio, West Virginia, and southwestern Virginia.
Earlier in the day, the governor told a news conference that the state expected significant property damage that would take months, if not years, for many families to repair and recover from. He also revealed that 25,111 people are without electricity statewide, according to NBC News.
Read Also : Taiwan Simulates Attack on Capital Amid Tensions With China, Launches Jets and Tanks in Military Drill
Kentucky Flood Survivor Recalls "Horror" Incident
When rising water enveloped her home, a flood survivor was forced to walk to the top of a hill and beg for help. During a severe rainfall in Kentucky, Brianna Imhoff had to blast a rifle in the air so that emergency services could rescue her, her husband, pets, and an elderly neighbor.
Imhoff reported hearing water beating on her house around 5 am. When she looked outside, she saw that the yard had been totally inundated by the swiftly rising water. Imhoff and her husband, Austin, then waded to their next-door neighbor's house, carrying their two dogs. Imhoff and her husband had only been in their rental property for a month, but they worked at a nearby nursing facility and had been acquainted with their neighbor through caring for his grandmother.
His aunt let them in even though he was not at home at the time. When the water began to rise, Imhoff claimed they were forced to relocate upstairs. They felt compelled to leave by 7 am, so they went up a hill behind the home. Imhoff attempted to share their location on Facebook, but the service refused.
They didn't hear a rescue helicopter until 10:30 am. They were saved by the local fire department and, according to Imhoff, the state rescue squad. They were brought to Jackson, where they boarded a volunteer bus to check on Imhoff's mother, whose trailer had also been inundated, as per The Sun.
Related Article : Highland Park Shooting Suspect Gets Slapped with 21 First-Degree Murder Counts, More Criminal Charges
