Severe flooding in Eastern Kentucky has claimed the lives of 30 people, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear shared in an update Monday morning.
"If things weren't hard enough on the people of this region, they're getting rain right now," Beshear said, noting that as of Monday morning, four counties were under a flash flood warning. "There is severe storm potential today in all of the impacted areas, and that is just not right. The most risk is on the northernmost point of the impacted areas, but it is very unstable."
As Christian Headlines previously reported, Beshear declared a state of emergency across six counties last Thursday due to the flooding.
"We are currently experiencing one of the worst, most devastating flooding events in Kentucky's history," the governor said at the time. "Hundreds will lose their homes."
At least four children were among those killed in the catastrophic flooding. The death toll is still expected to rise.
According to Kentucky.gov, as of Monday morning, about 12,000 households were left without power because of the storms. Other utility outages include no water to 25,325 service connections, a boil water advisory for 44,119 service connections, and limited operations in 22 water systems and 17 wastewater systems.
So far, Beshear is requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make the following impacted areas – Floyd, Johnson, Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley and Pike counties – eligible for assistance. He expects more counties to be added as time rolls on.
The governor also ordered state buildings to fly flags at half-staff for one week in honor of the flood victims.
"I encourage businesses, individuals and organizations throughout Kentucky to do the same," Beshear said. "Let's make sure we're recognizing the loss our people have been through."
He also said he will be lighting the Capitol dome and Governor's Mansion green.
"Green is the color of compassion, and just like we did during COVID, we're showing compassion for those lost during this devastating flood," Gov. Beshear said.
Last week, Beshear launched the Kentucky Flood Relief Fund to help those affected by the Eastern Kentucky flooding. According to Kentucky.gov, the fundraiser has raised over $1.5 million as of Monday morning.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Michael Swensen/Stringer
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
