Death toll from Kentucky floods continues to rise to 26: search for missing persons will drag on for weeks | Abroad

The number of deaths from the floods in the American state of Kentucky has risen to 26 on Sunday, Governor Andy Beshear reports.

In addition, about a few hundred people are said to be missing. The search for victims will take weeks, according to Beshear, because many people have been dragged hundreds of meters by the rising water.

According to the authorities, several children are also among the dead, including four children from one family. They tried to escape the water by crawling on the roof of their trailer and then clinging to a tree, but the current was too strong.

An aerial photo shows the extent of the flood. © AFP

The area has experienced severe storms and rain showers. In a 24-hour period, 13 to 25 centimeters of precipitation fell.

Beshear previously spoke of “one of the worst and most devastating floods in Kentucky history”. He says hundreds of people will lose their homes. Many roads are impassable and many areas are still inaccessible due to the high water level.

Many people lost their homes.

Many people lost their homes. © via REUTERS

See also: Heavy rains cause flooding in casinos Las Vegas

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