Parts of eastern Kentucky received between 8 to 10 1/2 inches of rain over a 48-hour period last week, leaving many scrambling for safety as the area experienced catastrophic flooding. Wolfe County search and rescue saved a family of five who were trapped in their home’s attic.
Kentucky rescue crews save family of 5 trapped in attic during flooding, video shows https://t.co/d64FMhROGi
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 2, 2022
Wolfe County swift water techs navigated watercraft while a Kentucky National Guard helicopter flew over homes, searching for those unable to escape the flooding.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the death toll has risen to 30, with hundreds still missing.
Monday, he warned of the possibility of more rain and flooding in already hard-hit Eastern Kentucky.
There is a series of complex storms moving through our hard-hit Eastern Kentucky region, with the greatest threat between 11 p.m. tonight through 8 a.m. EDT tomorrow. The biggest concern is overnight flooding. 1/2
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) August 1, 2022
Twitter users showed the devastation of the area.
Our old house is the one on the left with blue paint. The whole neighborhood is a total loss pic.twitter.com/3LWFUxxPK1
— Evan B. Smith (@evanky) July 29, 2022
Water levels of the Kentucky River surged, reportedly higher than ever previously measured.
My family is safe from the flooding here in East KY. Many families are not though.
This flood is categorically different than anything seen before here. The highest the Kentucky River was ever measured in my hometown Whitesburg was 14.2 feet (in 1957) and it got up to 20.9 today pic.twitter.com/K4Da5PGLxR
— Evan B. Smith (@evanky) July 29, 2022
The national guard is flying in food, water, and diapers to isolated communities, caught off due to the destruction of roadways. Many are still without power and clean water.