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| Photo Credit: AP. |
Some Appalachia residents have starting returning home for clean-up after devastating floods ravaged the city.
On Saturday residents shoveled mud and debris from homes and communities.
The governor of Kentucky said search and rescue operations were ongoing in the region after heavy rainfall led to devastating flash flooding.
Dozens of
people have been confirmed dead but the figure may rise as authorities begin
search and rescue efforts.
In Garrett
on Saturday, couches, tables and pillows soaked by flooding were stacked in
yards along the foothills of the mountainous region as people worked to clear
out debris and shovel mud from driveways and roads, The Associated Press
reported.
Death toll from Kentucky flooding likely to rise
At least 25
people were reported dead as a result of the flooding – including four children,
Kentucky governor said Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
“We continue
to pray for the families that have suffered an unfathomable loss,” Gov. Andy
Beshear said. ”Some having lost almost everyone in their household.”
Beshear said
the number would likely rise and it could take weeks to find all the victims of
the record flooding. The governor added that crews have made more than 1,200
rescues from helicopters and boats.
“I’m worried
that we’re going to be finding bodies for weeks to come,” Beshear said during a
midday briefing, according to The Associated Press.
18,000 people cut off from electricity in Kentucky flooding
The Associated Press reported that the rain let up early Friday after parts of eastern Kentucky received between 8 and 10 ½ inches (20-27 centimeters) over 48 hours. About 18,000 people were cut off from electricity Saturday, The Associated Press cited a report by poweroutage.us.
On Thursday
severe flooding hit Kentucky’s central Appalachia. Torrential rains brought
about devastating floods which took over people’s homes and displaced many.
Water
flowing from hillsides flooded out of streambeds, inundating homes, businesses
and roads throughout eastern Kentucky
Flash
flooding and mudslides were reported across the mountainous region of eastern
Kentucky, western Virginia and southern West Virginia.