The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Kentucky has reached 37 as severe weather continues, the southeastern state’s governor said yesterday. USA.

“We end the day with heartbreaking news from eastern Kentucky. We can confirm the death toll is currently 37 and there are more people missing,” Andy Beshear tweeted.

“Let’s pray for these families,” the Democratic politician added.

Mr Beshir said it could not be ruled out that the death toll would be even higher as rescue teams were sent to flood-affected areas that had not yet been reached.

Searches were hampered by yesterday’s rain and storms were expected to continue through the night.

“As if the situation wasn’t tough enough for the people of this area, it’s raining right now,” the governor said at a press conference yesterday.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) warned that much of eastern Kentucky was at risk of flooding this morning.

“Heavy rain is possible, which could cause flash floods,” the NWS said on Twitter.

The flooding, which began last week and is one of the worst to hit Kentucky, has turned roads into rivers and swallowed bridges and homes in areas already in economic decline.

Damage to mobile phone antennas has complicated rescue operations and any estimate of the number of dead and missing.

Governor Beshear warned last Sunday that “we will be finding bodies within weeks, many of which will drift hundreds of meters.”

US President Joe Biden declared a state of “natural disaster”, allocating federal funds to support the affected areas of the state.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.