Saturday, July 30, 2022

Big part of the Eastern Ky. flood story is staggering numbers

The most awful number? Four children torn from their parents'
arms and killed: Maddison, Riley, Nevaeh and Chance Noble. 
UPDATE, July 31: The death toll is now 28 35 37.

Residents and journalists have struggled to find words to describe adequately the extent and impact of the flooding in Eastern Kentucky. Part of the story is the staggering numbers; here are some from Gov. Andy Beshear's press release Saturday:

"There have been 25 confirmed fatalities in five counties: four in Breathitt County; two in Clay County; 14 in Knott County (10 adults and four children); two in Letcher County; and three in Perry County. . . . At least 1,432 Kentuckians have been rescued by first responders from Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. The Kentucky National Guard rescued 404 individuals by aircraft. The Tennessee National Guard rescued 224 by air. The West Virginia National Guard rescued 36 by air. Nineteen people and two dogs have been rescued by boat by the Kentucky National Guard. Kentucky State Police has assisted or is assisting in 624 water rescues. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has assisted in 125 water rescues. . . . 

"As of 10:30 a.m. EDT on July 30, 5,673 donors have contributed $684,668 to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. To donate, visit TeamEKYFloodReliefFund.ky.gov. . . . 142 people are being temporarily housed at Kentucky state parks. . . . Fourteen counties and three cities have declared a state of emergency: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties; and the City of Beattyville, the City of Paintsville and the City of Salyersville. There are more than 18,000 power outages currently being reported. . . . 18 wastewater systems are under limited operations, primarily due to flooded infrastructure. Three wastewater plants are experiencing bypasses. Nineteen water systems have limited operations due to power outages. There are 26,480 service connections without water. There are 29,214 service connections under boil-water advisory. Three drinking water systems are not operational. . . .

"At least 10 bridges remain closed in Knott, Letcher, Perry and Pike counties. A full assessment of bridge and road damage cannot be completed until flood waters fully recede. . . . Crews cleared approximately 100 rock and mud slides in the Manchester highway district and have so far replaced or repaired about a dozen highway culverts. . . . About 100 travel trailers that were purchased for tornado victims in western Kentucky, and which have been decommissioned and cleaned or were never deployed, are being delivered to Eastern Kentucky by contract haulers."

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