Death toll in Kentucky hits 26, with renewed flood threat

HINDMAN, Kentucky — The number of deaths from massive flooding in Kentucky climbs to 26 and several dozen people remain missing amid the threat of more heavy rain.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says on NBC’s “Meet The Press” that the death toll had risen by one since Saturday from last week’s storms.

Beshear has said that the number would likely rise significantly, and that it could take weeks to find all the victims. As many as 37 people are unaccounted for, according to a daily briefing from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

On top of that, more flash flooding was possible in portions of Appalachia today and tomorrow, as the latest storms roll through, the National Weather Service says.

Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour were possible in some of the same areas that were inundated last week.