The death toll in Eastern Kentucky’s historic flooding remains at 37 as of Friday afternoon, per Governor Andy Beshear, as stabilization efforts continue in the tattered region.
Of those fatalities, eight are in Breathitt, two are in Clay, 17 are in Knott, three are in Letcher and seven are in Perry — all counties with national declarations of disaster.
Funds raised for the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief now total north of $3.6 million on more than 25,500 donations, and so far 17 funerals costing $170,000 have been delicately handled through this effort.
While Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman are expected to visit the area this weekend, U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady, Jill, will join Kentucky’s leaders in a Monday visit to the devastation.
This will be Biden’s second such visit to the Commonwealth in the last eight months, following his trip to west Kentucky after the December tornadoes.
Kentucky State Police Post 13 is still reporting two missing persons in relation to the regional flooding. And according to the National Weather Service, more storms could be on the way this evening, Saturday and through next week.
Beshear also addressed speculation about flood victims receiving money from GoFundMe pages being ineligible for FEMA assistance. He did say that those receiving monies specific to repairs or other aid could affect this eligibility, but that all survivors should still apply for assistance — and then allow FEMA officials make the final determination.
Between Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, power outages dropped from 3,044 to 1,102, in what’s been a concerted effort.
More than 1,800 water connections were restored to homes and businesses today, but more than 11,700 properties remain without running water, and more than 35,000 are underneath a Boil Water Advisory.
