Disastrous Flooding in Kentucky

By: William Tian

On Saturday, floods devastated Kentucky, leaving thousands with no electricity. Many people were trapped in the water, waiting to be rescued by firefighters. Hundreds of homes remaine flooded. Officials said on Sunday that at least 26 people were killed in the flooding, including four siblings under 8 years old. Officials also noticed that the damage that was done could take weeks to become clear.

Some areas reported more than 8 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. The cities Perry and Knott had the most flooding. Some neighboring states, West Virginia, and Virginia have also got some flooding too. Many are expecting rivers to crest during the weekend.

Many rallied to help those stranded in the flood. “I know people have this image of Eastern Kentucky,” said Ms. Counts, a Red Cross Worker, “But we are the first ones to step up.

We are the first ones to ask, ‘How can we help?’” Over 5,200 people were saved in Perry County. They were taken in a Presbyterian Church, because their homes have been flooded or wiped out by a mudslide. Some survivors were covered in mud, and the only thing to clean themselves was baby wipes, since there was no running water. The church even rented portable toilets, and people have dropped off supplies like water, blankets, and dog food for people who have pets.

Kentucky has been struck with deadly storms increasingly often in recent years. Last year, a powerful ice storm struck in eastern Kentucky, leaving 150,000 with no electricity. Bill Haneberg, a climate expert and the state's geologist, said this rainfall event is "extraordinary" for Kentucky. Last July, there was a flash flood, and in December t a rare tornado created a path nearly 200-miles long, killing 80 people. Scientists say that climate change is causing all of the extreme weather in Kentucky, and they will see extreme weather more frequently.

Credits:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62351166

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/us/kentucky-flooding-natural-disasters.html