According to officials, the dead included several children, including four from a family.

Heavy storms and rains are occurring in the region. In 24 hours, 13 to 25 centimeters of rain fell. Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency in parts of Kentucky. He fears the death toll will rise in the next few weeks.

“This is one of the worst and most devastating floods in Kentucky history,” Beshear said in a statement. He says hundreds of people will lose their homes. Many roads are currently impassable, and about 20,000 people in the area were without power as of Friday evening.

The army and police have been deployed to evacuate people using helicopters and boats and take them from the rooftops they fled to. According to Beshear, the material damage was enormous. “For many families, it can take months or even years to get everything back on track.”

This is the second natural disaster to hit Kentucky in the past seven months. In December last year, a cyclone hit the entire state. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds were injured.

“Hundreds of people will lose their homes,” Beshear said in a statement about the worst and most destructive flooding in Kentucky’s history.

According to Beshear, the material damage was enormous. “For many families, it can take months or even years to get everything back on track.” According to the governor, the danger is not over yet. “The rain that awaits us will worsen the situation.” Neighboring states Virginia and West Virginia were also affected by flooding.