The death toll from the floods in Kentucky rose to 35, as confirmed by Governor Andy Beshear this Monday in the afternoon while hundreds of people remain missing.
“More hard news. We have confirmed more deaths from eastern Kentucky flooding. Our loss now is 35. Pray for these families and for the disappeared,” Beshear wrote on Twitter.
The governor of the state warned in a press conference earlier that the death toll could rise, since at least hundreds of people are missing.
“We just don’t have a firm understanding of that. I wish we did, there are many reasons why it is almost impossible, ”he indicated. “But I want to make sure that we are not giving false hope or faulty information.”
Many of the citizens who are in the risk zones cannot access the areas that were isolated after the floods washed bridges and communities under water.
Last week flooding spread over roads, destroyed bridges and washed away entire homes, causing thousands to be displaced from Kentucky, Beshear previously noted.
He also highlighted that the infrastructure of electricity, water and highways was out of service, which currently has not been fully restored, although cellular service is returning in some of the most affected areas of the state , stressed the governor.
Tracy Neice, Mayor of the City of Hindman , admitted to CNN that in 35 years living in Kentucky he had never seen flooding of this nature. He added that the main street of the city of Hindman looked like a stretch of river where one could go whitewater rafting.
Among the deaths from the natural phenomenon, four children in Knott County stand out who were brothers. The deceased were identified by her aunt Brandi Smith in statements to CNN as Chance, 2 years old; Nevaeh, 4; Riley, 6, and Madison, 8.
The children were described by Smith as “sweet, fun and lovable”. They died after the family’s mobile home flooded, forcing them to seek shelter on the roof.
“The water became so strong that it just swept them away,” lamented Smith, who said that the brothers’ parents clung to them before the water swept them away.
With information from CNN
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