WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) – The death toll from flooding caused by torrential rains in eastern Kentucky this week is now at least 25 dead, including four children, and is expected to rise further, the governor said on Saturday. of this state in the eastern United States.
“We are still in an emergency situation,” Andy Beshear told the press. “The search and rescue continues. The toll will continue to rise.”
Torrential rains swept through this region of steep hills and narrow valleys on Wednesday and Thursday, which is particularly vulnerable in times of flooding.
US President Joe Biden has declared a state of major disaster, which authorizes the release of federal funds.
Kentucky was hit by another deadly natural disaster seven months ago last December when tornadoes killed nearly 80 people in the western part of the state. (Report Lucia Mutikani, French version Jean-Stphane Brosse)