Yahoo News At Least 16 Dead amid Ky. Flooding, Death Toll Expected to Rise: 'May Have Even Lost Entire Families'
The death toll from the devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky, one of the worst in state history, is continuing to rise.
In a brief update on Friday morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear shared that "heartbreakingly, we can confirm at least 15 deaths, but we expect that number to grow." Hours later, he said the number of confirmed deaths had increased to 16.
On Friday morning, Beshear estimated that the death toll will likely "more than double" and "include children."
"We may have even lost entire families," he added.
Hours later, Beshear shared in an afternoon update that deaths had been reported in four counties, with 11 in Knott County, including two children, a 63-year-old man, and a 65-year-old woman.
One death was reported in Perry County, an 81-year-old woman, as well as two in Letcher County, a 79-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman. Additionally, two fatalities were reported in Clay County, including a 76-year-old woman.
At another press conference later in the day, Beshear shared that while he could not provide an official update, he had learned that the bodies of four children from Knott County had been found, bringing the number of children who had died to six. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, the children were all siblings.
Michael Swensen/Getty Rescue team helping a family in Quicksand, Kentucky
Speaking with CNN on Friday morning, Beshear said that although eastern Kentucky often experiences flooding, "we've never seen something like this."
LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Homes submerged in Jackson, Kentucky, on Thursday
"Whole roads washed out — we still can't get to a lot of people. There is so much water. The current is so strong. It is not safe for some of the water rescues that we need to do," he added, noting that some residents had their homes "completely swept away in the middle of the night."
"This is so deadly, and it hit so hard, and it hit in the middle of the night," Beshear said of the flooding, which began on Wednesday.
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With over 23,000 residents still without power as of Friday morning, first responders are working around the clock to help Kentuckians in need.
"Yesterday teams engaged in around 50 air rescues and hundreds of boat rescues," Beshear shared in his Friday update.
LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Homes submerged in Jackson, Kentucky, on Thurdsday
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However, as search and rescue efforts continue, flash flooding remains a danger.
Parts of eastern Kentucky as well as West Virginia remain at a moderate risk of flooding through Friday evening, according to the Weather Prediction Center and the National Weather Service. Per NWS Meteorologist Brandon Bonds, even small amounts of rain can "cause even more damage," according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
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Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Homes flooded with water from the North Fork of the Kentucky River
More than 6 inches of rain fell across eastern Kentucky overnight on Wednesday, causing massive property damage and leaving some streets underwater, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
In Floyd County, approximately 80 people have been rescued since heavy rains began in the area Tuesday, county Judge-Executive Robbie Williams told CNN.
"I've never seen this much water before," county Judge-Executive Robbie Williams told the outlet.
