The captain told LEX 18’s Nancy Cox and Larry Smith that more helicopters were on the way. Officials still can’t reach some people to save them. Emergency officials say they’ve never seen anything like it. Many bridges and roads have been lost. “Half of Floyd County feels like it’s underwater,” Governor Beshear said. The governor says people inside a Letcher County nursing home were safely evacuated. Officials say they are working to restore cell coverage, but can’t hit the roads to make the necessary repairs. More Zodiac ships are en route from Louisville. They are urging people to stay safe Thursday night as the waters are expected to rise. Gov. Beshear says people are waiting to be airlifted right now. They are asking people to stay away from flooded communities so as not to hinder emergency crews. If Kentuckians have a missing loved one in Breathitt, Knott, Letcher or Perry counties, do not call 911. Instead, call Kentucky State Police Post 13 at (606) 435-6069 or your local law enforcement agency. Please note that the phone lines are extremely busy at this time and it may take several calls to go through. The governor declared a state of emergency for several southeastern Kentucky counties after severe flooding hit the area overnight Wednesday into Thursday. At least six counties have declared local states of emergency: Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Letcher, Owsley and Pike. “We are currently experiencing one of the worst, most destructive flood events in Kentucky history,” Governor Beshear said. The governor says that in many areas, the water has not receded, or even peaked, at this point. He says they expect “loss of life” from the flooding and expect hundreds to lose their homes. “This is going to be another event that will take not months but, likely, years for many families to rebuild and recover from,” Gov. Beshear said. “Kentucky floods 52 weeks a year, but not like this,” Governor Beshear said. “Not like that.” SHELTER: The following counties have established shelters throughout the region: PIKE: Thacker Memorial Funeral Home, Shelby Valley High SchoolFLOYD: Floyd Co. Community Center DANGER: First Presbyterian Church, East Perry Elementary, West Perry Elementary, Gospel Light Baptist Church, Second Creek Church of God, Buckhorn Lake State Resort LodgeBREATHITT: Breathitt Co. STATE PARKS Court: Jenny Wiley, Pine Mountain, Buckhorn Governor Beshear says there are many people trapped on rooftops waiting to be rescued. Power has been cut in many areas and fresh water trucks are on their way. The Kentucky National Guard is responding with helicopters and trucks that can move through water. In Perry County, at least two people were confirmed dead, according to Perry County Sheriff Joe Engle. He says there could be more deaths as crews respond to flooded neighborhoods and mobile home communities. Engle says he’s been a sheriff for four years and in law enforcement for 25 years. He calls it “historically unlike anything he’s ever seen.” He says most of the agencies are volunteer fire departments. They hope the water will recede so they can rescue people still trapped. In Pike County, rescue efforts continue as they wait for the water to clear the roads. Shelby Valley High School has been set up as a temporary shelter. With flooding spreading across the southern part of the county, crews are unsure how many residents still need help from their homes and how many have already been rescued. The county is experiencing a loss of water and electricity. If you live in Pike County and need assistance, you can contact the Magistrate’s Office at (606) 432-6247 or the Office of Emergency Management at (606) 432-0210. The Clay County Treasurer says the damage is nearly countywide right now, including flooding, downed trees and power outages. The Judge-Executive is out with a crew right now, but several people have fallen that couldn’t get in due to the damage. They have received more than 30 calls Thursday morning from people who are trapped and looking to be rescued. The Lexington Fire Department says they have received a request to send swift water crews to Lost Creek, Kentucky to help with flooding in that area. They send a team of nine people along with two boats. Tyler Clem Flooding in Lost Creek Their mission is to rescue up to three people trapped in the Riverside Christian School. A tenth member is deployed to the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assist.
