Parts of Kentucky have been dealing with severe storms and rain showers for days. The ensuing flooding has been described by Beshear as “one of the worst and most devastating in Kentucky history”.
There are fears that the death toll will rise further in the near future. Bodies may be found for weeks to come, the governor said. Efforts are still being made to rescue as many residents as possible in the affected areas and to provide food and shelter to the thousands of displaced persons. But the weather conditions are seriously hampering rescue efforts, government officials say.
It is the second time in just over seven months that Kentucky has been hit by a natural disaster. In December last year, the state was hit by tornadoes. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds were injured.