Kentucky avoids more rainfall as state reels from devastating flooding

ByKEVIN SHALVEY ABCNews logo
Tuesday, August 2, 2022

At least 37 people have been killed in Kentucky's devastating flooding, which Gov. Andy Beshear has called the most "devastating and deadly" of his lifetime.

Among those killed are four siblings -- ages 8, 6, 4 and 2 -- who were swept away in the water, according to family members.

The number of deaths "will grow," the governor said.

Over 1,300 people have been rescued from flooded areas, the governor said Tuesday.

Kentucky was bracing overnight for new storms moving through the already flood-ravaged areas. But Beshear said Tuesday morning that the ground stayed "pretty much dry" overnight.

A few passing showers are possible on Tuesday but the state should stay dry through Sunday, when residents may get hit with more rain.

But a new weather challenge this week will be extreme heat, Beshear warned Tuesday. The heat index -- what temperature it feels like with humidity -- will be near 100 degrees, Beshear said, and he urged residents to go to cooling centers and be careful while cleaning up debris.

Beshear said he'll visit more areas impacted by flooding on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration.

ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway, Julia Jacobo, Alex Faul and Kenton Gewecke contributed to this report.

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