US Kentucky floods: Death toll rises to 37

The death toll from flooding in eastern Kentucky of the US state rose to 37 on Monday as more rain hampered clean-up and search and rescue operations.

“We have confirmed more fatalities from the Eastern Kentucky floods,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. “Our loss now stands at 37.”

“Pray for these families and for those who are missing.”

Andy Beshear said the death toll would continue to rise as “hundreds” remained unaccounted for. More than 12,000 households remained without power, and hundreds of homes and businesses have been flooded.

Their efforts were hampered by more rain on Monday.

“If things weren’t hard enough on the people of this region, they’re getting rain right now,” Beshear said. “There is severe storm potential today in all of the impacted areas.”

Some areas in eastern Kentucky received more than eight inches (20 centimeters) of rain in a 24-hour period last week, causing flash floods.

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.

Some areas in the mountainous Appalachia region are still inaccessible following the flooding that turned roads into rivers, washed out bridges and swept away houses.

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.

US President Joe Biden has issued a disaster declaration for the state, 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.

- AFP