Search and rescue teams backed by the National Guard searched for missing people on Friday as record floods wiped out entire communities in parts of the U.S., taking the lives of at least 35 Kentuckians.
On August 1, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear “ordered flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of Kentuckians lost to or impacted by the historic Eastern Kentucky flooding events that began July 26,” the Kentucky governor tweeted.
According to the governor, 37 people have died, with the death toll expected to rise as more missing people are discovered.
Four siblings were among the dead in Kentucky, Fox News reported. The children ranged in age from 2 to 8 years old and their bodies have been recovered. The children are survived by their parents, who escaped drowning.
The governor also asked Kentuckians to light their homes and businesses in green, the color of compassion, in honor of the flood victims, according to a press release.
“Let’s pull out those green lights again and let the people of Eastern Kentucky know we love them,” Beshear said in the statement.
Floodwaters engulfed towns hugging creeks and streams in Appalachian valleys and hollows, destroying vehicles, sweeping piles of debris against bridges, and swamping homes and businesses. Mudslides on steep slopes stranded many people and rendered rescues more difficult.
On Monday, Beshear warned people of more rain and to take to high ground.
“Today is going to be another dangerous weather day for Eastern Kentucky, with more rain expected in the region through this evening,” he tweeted. “Isolated flash flooding and damaging winds are possible, and we urge everyone in hard-hit areas to seek shelter on higher ground.”
The governor also provided a list of phone numbers for state police that Kentuckians could call to report missing persons.
Beshear tweeted on Tuesday to inform residents of Pike and Floyd counties that President Joe Biden had approved Individual Assistance for those affected by the floods.