One of the people killed in the flooding was an 81-year-old woman from Perry County. Source: WYMT, Twitter.
Several people have been killed after heavy rainfall ravaged parts of Kentucky in the US, with quick rising waters making it impossible for many to escape and leaving others stranded.
Significant rainfall was seen in south eastern-Kentucky on Thursday where three people were killed, with that number rising to eight later that night.
Rivers peaked at 19ft (5.7m) at about 8:15pm Thursday night according to the National Weather Service who has warnings still issued for the Licking River near the town of Salyersville in the Magoffin County.
Earlier in the week the South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville reached a height of 35ft (10m) with a flood warning in affect until Friday morning local time.
Parts of Kentucky saw nine inches (147 ml) fall overnight with Governor Andy Beshear warning residents that more rain could be coming.
“This is an ongoing disaster that continues to put people into danger. It looks like we will have more rain tonight that may worsen the situation in many places.”
Rescue ongoing near the SR 7 bridge, Hueysville, Floyd County KY. Video taken by Kevin Nelson. #KYwx @Kentuckyweather @spann @nwsjacksonky pic.twitter.com/ba3vje4r1Z
— Chad (@ChadBlue83) July 28, 2022
The Governor made a request for federal assistance to President Joe Biden saying the “damage suffered is enormous” and that “recovery will be a long-term effort”.
He added that he expects the death toll to reach “double digits”, something rare for the state.
One of the victims from the Perry County drowned in the flooding, with Country Sheriff Joe Engle telling the Lexington Herald-Leader that there have been difficulties recovering people.
“We are having a very difficult time getting to people,” he said. “Roads are blocked by trees, washed away completely, or covered with water. It is now physically impossible to get to some people.”
Residents have been told to avoid flooded roads and to seek higher grounds after The New York Times reports more than 30 people had to be air-rescued from their rooftops.
Flooding has also been seen in parts of Virginia and West Virginia, with more than 30,000 people left without power.
More details to come.
