This aerial photo shows flooded homes and structures on Thursday, July 28, 2022, near Quicksand, Kentucky.

Photo: Ryan C Hermens

The death toll from flooding in central and eastern Kentucky has risen to 25 people, according to the office of the state governor, Andy Beshear, on Friday.

 Among the deceased there are six children, four of them belonging to the same family.

At a press conference this morning, the governor warned that the final death toll will be much higher as rescue efforts progress and more bodies are found.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced this Friday the declaration of Kentucky as a major disaster area to confirm the federal aid that the Government of the country will give the state to deal with these floods, the White House said in a statement.

At dawn this Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), 

the stretch of the Kentucky River in the city of Jackson reached the highest level ever recorded with 13 meters, surpassing a record set in 1939.

Beshear already declared a state of emergency throughout Kentucky on Thursday, and flood warnings remain in effect for most of the region on Saturday.

Beshear's order includes the mobilization of troops from the Kentucky National Guard to use trucks and helicopters to help people trapped by the raging waters.

Many people have been trapped by floodwaters on rooftops and in trees, according to local television station WHAS11.

The death toll continues to grow, the governor said, and many families there have lost absolutely everything.

Flooding in Kentucky.

Photo: USA Today

On Thursday night, Kentucky authorities recommended that people evacuate their homes around Panbowl Lake near Jackson due to rising Kentucky River waters and a mud discharge observed near the lake's dam.

Forecasters predict another series of rains for this Saturday in the area flooded by torrents that have descended from the mountains and swollen the rivers and streams in Appalachia.

The runaway waters have damaged bridges and flooded homes, businesses and roads.

In the town of Whitesburg, the floodwaters swamped the Appalshop, an arts and education center renowned for promoting and preserving the region's history and culture.

Authorities reported rapid flooding of rivers and streams in eastern Kentucky, western Virginia and southern West Virginia, areas affected by storms in recent days.

According to the platform

PowerOutage.us,

this morning there were 24,157 homes and businesses in Kentucky without power supply, and another 6,789 in the same situation in Virginia.

Jerry Stacy, director of Emergency Management for Perry County in eastern Kentucky, described the flooding as "a catastrophic event."

There are flash floods and mudslides almost everywhere, Stacy noted.

A flooded valley, from the helicopter in which Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has toured the area.

Photo: Andy Beshear

Flooding in Kentucky.

Photo: USA Today

Central Appalachia.

Photo: Ryan C Hermens

An image of the floods captured from the helicopter.

Photo: Andy Beshear

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Relentless and devastating rains in #Kentucky


Floods have already caused 15 deaths.

pic.twitter.com/gONjN9zxA6

– Almudena Ariza (@almuariza) July 29, 2022

(Taken from Herald)