. Earth Science News .
SHAKE AND BLOW
Rescuers face renewed rain as Kentucky flood death toll hits 26
By Seth Herald
Jackson, United States (AFP) July 31, 2022

Rescuers in Kentucky are taking the search effort door-to-door in worsening weather conditions as they brace for a long and grueling effort to locate victims of flooding that devastated the state's east, its governor said Sunday.

Some areas in the mountainous region are still inaccessible following flooding that turned roads into rivers, washed out bridges, swept away houses and killed at least 26 people. Poor cell phone service is also complicating rescue efforts.

"This is one of the most devastating, deadly floods that we have seen in our history... And at a time that we're trying to dig out, it's raining," Governor Andy Beshear told NBC's "Meet the Press."

"We're going to work to go door to door, work to find, again, as many people as we can. We're even going to work through the rain. But the weather is complicating it," Beshear said.

The governor had earlier raised the death toll from the flooding, which was caused by torrential rain that began on Wednesday, to 26, tweeting that the number will rise further.

"We're going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter mile-plus from where they were lost," Beshear said on "Meet the Press."

In the town of Jackson, county seat of hard-hit Breathitt County, state, local and federal rescue teams and aid workers were gathering Sunday morning in a Walmart parking lot as they prepared to fan out.

Some were distributing water bottles to those in need. A boat marked "FEMA Rescue 4" sat on a trailer, indicating the presence of federal emergency crews.

Receding flood waters had left a thick coating of dust on the streets as an ominously dark cloud cover presaged more rain ahead.

The floods hit a region of Kentucky that was already suffering from grinding poverty -- driven by the decline of the coal industry that was the heart of its economy -- taking everything from people who could least afford it.

"It wiped out areas where people didn't have that much to begin with," Beshear said.

- Threat of more flooding -

Some areas in eastern Kentucky had reported receiving more than eight inches (20 centimeters) of rain in a 24-hour period.

The water level of the North Fork of the Kentucky River at Whitesburg rose to a staggering 20 feet within hours, well above its previous record of 14.7 feet.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center warned Sunday of the potential for flooding in a swath of the United States, including central and eastern Kentucky.

"The threat of flash flooding will be increasing through the day as heavy showers and thunderstorms develop and expand in coverage," it said on Twitter.

President Joe Biden has issued a disaster declaration for the Kentucky flooding, allowing federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

The eastern Kentucky flooding is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that scientists say are an unmistakable sign of climate change.

Nearly 60 people were killed in western Kentucky by a tornado in December 2021 -- a disaster that Beshear said offered lessons for current efforts on the other end of the state.

"We learned a lot of lessons in western Kentucky on those devastating tornados about seven months ago, so we are providing as much support as we can and we are moving fast from all over the state to help out," he told CNN on Saturday.


Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


SHAKE AND BLOW
Eight dead in 'devastating' Kentucky flooding
Jackson, United States (AFP) July 29, 2022
Flash flooding caused by torrential rains has killed at least eight people in eastern Kentucky and left some residents stranded on rooftops and in trees, the governor of the south-central US state said Thursday. The world has been hit by extreme weather events in recent months, incidents that scientists say are an unmistakable sign of climate change. "This is going to be the worst flooding in recent memory - devastating and deadly," Governor Andy Beshear told local NBC affiliate WLEX in an inte ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SHAKE AND BLOW
'Life-saving' peanut paste unlikely victim of Ukraine war

Japan regulator OKs release of treated Fukushima water

MPs question deterrent effect of UK's Rwanda migrant policy

UN Security Council calls on members to stop arming gangs in Haiti

SHAKE AND BLOW
Innovation with the additive advantage

Understanding friction, the unavoidable enemy

Floors in ancient Greek luxury villa were laid with recycled glass

Emerging technology could help extract lithium from new sources

SHAKE AND BLOW
UK sea levels rising quicker than century ago: study

High-level US delegation heads to Solomons to mark WWII amid China moves

W. Mediterranean hit by 'exceptional' heatwave: experts

French regions face record water restrictions; English households urged to save water

SHAKE AND BLOW
Thaw and redraw: melting glacier moves Italian-Swiss border

Human food waste 'threat' to polar bears: report

Stronger overturning circulation in the Pacific during the last glacial period

Air samples from Arctic region show how fast Earth is warming

SHAKE AND BLOW
Sustainable practices linked to farm size in organic farming

Designing roots to reach new depths could help carbon storage in soil

Drought threatens Spain's 'green gold' harvest

Dutch PM slams 'life-threatening' farmer protests

SHAKE AND BLOW
Hundreds of aftershocks shake earthquake-hit northern Philippines

Misery for millions as monsoon pounds Pakistan port city

Eight dead in 'devastating' Kentucky flooding

Powerful earthquake hits northern Philippines

SHAKE AND BLOW
Togo mediates in Mali, ICoast soldiers dispute

Burundi secretly sent troops to DR Congo: rights group

DR Congo warns of 'militarising' wildlife parks in Rwanda spat

Mali army says 3 soldiers, 3 terrorists killed in attacks

SHAKE AND BLOW
White children are more likely to be overdiagnosed and overtreated for ADHD

Experts developing wearable technology to support women to remain active as they age

Why it is so hard for women to have a baby

Connectivity of language areas unique in the human brain









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.