Trapped homeowners swam to safety and others were rescued by boat as record flash flooding killed at least 16 people in eastern Kentucky
Water poured down hillsides and into Appalachian valleys and hollows, where it swelled creeks and streams that course through small towns. The torrent engulfed homes and businesses, trashed vehicles and crunched debris against bridges. Mudslides marooned some people on steep slopes.
At least 33,000 utility customers were without power and the flooding extended into western Virginia and southern West Virginia, across a region where poverty is endemic. and ravaged areas of Montana. In both instances, the amount of rain and flooding far exceeded what forecasters predicted., and more people still needed help, Beshear said.
Determining the number of people unaccounted for is tough with cell service and electricity out across the disaster area, he said: “This is so widespread, it’s a challenge on even local officials to put that number together.” Even the governor had problems reaching the devastation. His initial plans to tour the disaster area on Friday were postponed because conditions at an airport where they planned to land were unsafe. He got a look at the flooding later in the day aboard a helicopter. He tweeted that “the situation is even more devastating to see firsthand” and said it will be “a long road to recovery.”
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Appalachian floods kill at least 16 as rescue teams deployKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says 16 have died in Appalachian flooding, and the death toll will rise as rescue teams search the disaster area.
Read more »
Appalachian floods kill at least 16 as rescue teams deployKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says 16 have died in Appalachian flooding, and the death toll will rise as rescue teams search the disaster area.
Read more »
Death toll continues rising in Appalachian flash floods as more rescue teams arriveRescuers searched Friday for people missing in record floods that wiped out communities in some of the poorest places in America. Kentucky’s governor said 15 people have died, a toll he expected to grow.
Read more »
Appalachian floods kill at least 16 as rescue teams deployKentucky's governor said at least 16 people have died in record floods that wiped out entire communities in some of the poorest places in America.
Read more »
Appalachian floods kill at least 16 as rescue teams deploySearch and rescue teams backed by the National Guard searched Friday for people missing in record floods that wiped out entire communities in some of the poorest places in America.
Read more »
Appalachian floods kill at least 15 as rescue teams deploySearch and rescue teams backed by the National Guard searched Friday for people missing in record floods that wiped out entire communities in some of the poorest places in America
Read more »