Friday updates: Children among those killed in Kentucky flooding; many people still missing

The tragic toll from the overnight flooding Thursday in Eastern Kentucky continues to climb and the floodwaters continue to engulf towns and homes across the Appalachian countryside.

At 6 a.m. Friday, the stretch of the Kentucky River in Jackson reached its highest mark at 43.2 feet, breaking an 83-year-old record set in 1939, according to the National Weather Service in Jackson. A flood watch remains in effect through Friday night for most of the region.

Beshear confirmed Friday that at least 16 people have died as a result of the flooding, including six children, and said he expects that figure to rise as relief efforts progress. And on Saturday he said the death toll now sat at 25.

Eastern Kentucky flooding:Everything we know so far

The Courier Journal has several reporters and photojournalists in Eastern Kentucky this week covering the aftermath of the storm, and this story will be updated with their latest reports.

7 p.m.: The Eastern Kentucky weather forecast

Water has yet to recede in many hard-hit areas but a lull in rainfall forecasted on Saturday could provide a crucial window in helping evacuate those still stuck in flooded areas before additional storms and possible flooding later in the weekend.

After touring the area in a helicopter Friday afternoon, Beshear said homes and businesses were still underwater.

"We've got to act quickly after the water recedes tomorrow, certainly before it rains again," he said. "Once the water goes down in any of these areas, we can do a lot more. We can check on a lot more people, we can go door to door and make sure everybody's okay."

There could be an additional 1 to 2 inches of rainfall starting Sunday afternoon through Monday — but the storm front is expected to move through without lingering like it did in Thursday's flooding, said Ed Ray, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.

Those estimates could change as it draws closer, he said, and some areas could see higher amounts. Ray said the communities affected by flooding may see a chance to "recoup" with drier weather later into next week.

-Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

5:30 p.m.: Recovering in Wolfe County

A number of people who had found shelter Thursday in Jackson were moved late that evening to Wolfe County, where a local health official said three shelters have been set up.

About 120 people are staying at the three shelters, according to Kentucky River District Department Health Director Scott Lockard, including 36 people at a shelter designed specifically for families with pets. That shelter is at Campton Elementary – additional shelters are set up at Wolfe County High and a shelter at a middle school that’s serving as a central location for seniors and people with serious medical needs.

The people were moved Thursday night because a nearby dam was being released, Lockard said. If it wasn’t released, he added, it likely would have failed, which would have impacted the local hospital, nursing home and other facilities.

The shelters will remain open for a while, Lockard said, and officials are still unsure whether school will start as planned on Aug. 10.

In positive news, more than a dozen people who were believed to be missing Thursday had been found by Friday, according to officials at the Wolfe County shelter. Still, seven people remain missing as of 5 p.m., according to a list at the facility – Brenda Salyer, Don Roark, Karen Deaton, Jimmy Deaton, Daniel Conhs, Kristen Noble and Justin Noble.

Background:'He told me to find his babies': At one Kentucky flooding shelter, families wait and hope

2 p.m.: 6 children confirmed dead

In an update Friday afternoon, Beshear confirmed the deaths of the children in Eastern Kentucky flooding.

“We've got at least six dead children, and it's hard," he said. "It's even harder for those families and those communities so keep right. There's still a lot of people out there still a lot of people aren't accounted for and we're going to do our best to find them all.”

No fewer than six helicopters were out looking for more people trapped on the roofs of their homes in several counties in the region, according to Beshear.

"We may be updating how many we lost for several weeks," he said.

Out of the counties he had seen, Beshear said Perry County saw the worst of the flooding damage to towns in the area.

11:30 a.m.: An update from Beshear

In a Friday morning update, Beshear confirmed 16 people have died as a result of the floods, and more are expected to be announced.

On Thursday, the governor said he was aware of between 20-30 people who had been rescued via airlift in the aftermath of the storm. He pegged that number at "way over 100" in his Friday update, with a total of 294 rescues having been reported throughout the past two days.

The work isn't finished, though. FEMA is in town to assist with recovery efforts, he said, and President Joe Biden earlier Friday approved federal aid to go toward flooding relief.

Others around the state have pitched in as well, Beshear said. Donations made to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund sat at $229,000 through 1,388 donations.

Hundreds of people are still without access to homes, though, according to the governor. Beshear said there are currently 337 people sheltered across the 10 currently operational shelters in the region. Four of them are operated by the Kentucky Region of the American Red Cross, while six are run independently.

10:00 a.m.: Biden approves federal aid

Friday morning, President Joe Biden declared that a "major disaster" exists in Kentucky, and subsequently has approved the mobilization of federal aid to the area.

"Our hearts break for the families that have loved ones that lost their lives," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a White House press briefing a few hours later.

According to a press release from the White House, funding is available to both local governments and some private non-profits for "emergency protective measures" in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Wolfe counties.

Some funds are also available for additional hazards that pop up elsewhere in the state, according to the release.

8:45 a.m.: Beshear: Death toll rises, will continue to rise

According to the Associated Press, Beshear announced the death toll from the flooding had increased to 15 and will continue to rise, with some children included among the victims.

"I expect that number to more than double, probably even throughout today," Beshear told the Associated Press before touring a disaster area in Perry County.

In a message to The Courier Journal, meanwhile, Jimmy Pollard, a representative from the Kentucky Coroners Association, said the death toll now sits at 16, with deaths having been reported in four counties.

None of the victims have been identified at this time.

Beshear is set to speak again later Friday morning.

Thursday's news

More than six inches of rain fell in many areas of Eastern Kentucky late Wednesday and early Thursday, causing widespread damage.

Beshear said at least seven counties – Perry, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Letcher, Owsley and Pike – had issued local state of emergency warnings before or after the storm hit. Those counties, home to well-known Kentucky towns like Jackson and Hazard, were hit hard.

In a video statement Thursday afternoon, Beshear said between 20-30 people had been airlifted as part of rescue efforts, but more people who had been trapped were still awaiting relief.

Eight people were confirmed to have died, Beshear said, including two people from Perry County and one from Knott County. No names or additional information about any of the victims were released later Thursday.

"Our death toll is growing," Beshear said. "By the end, we expect it will be in double digits, and a lot of families out there have lost absolutely everything."

How to help

Three state parks – Jenny Wiley State Park, Buckhorn State Park, and Pine Mountain State Park – have been opened for those temporarily or permanently displaced from their homes, Beshear said. Additionally, shelters are at the Lees College gym in Jackson, and the First Presbyterian Church in Hazard at 160 Broadway St. The Kentucky Region of the American Red Cross has set up a flood response shelter in Hazard as well, the organization said.

Related:Here's how to report a missing person in the Eastern Kentucky flooding

For those who want to donate to help flood victims, Beshear said water and cleaning supplies are needed. The governor's office set up the  Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, which accepts donations through the mail ( Public Protection Cabinet, 500 Mero Street, 218 NC, Frankfort, KY 40601) or through its website.

Donation funds have also been set up by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, eKY Mutual Aid and Appalshop.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Flooding in Eastern Kentucky 2022: Latest Kentucky flood updates, news