Curfews Enforced in Kentucky Amid Looting, More Flooding

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(TNS) – Damage assessment and search and rescue operations remain ongoing in Eastern Kentucky four days after catastrophic floods wreaked havoc on multiple counties in the region.

The latest update surrounding the death toll from the floods indicates more than 30 Kentuckians have died. Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed 28 deaths in an update Sunday evening but the Perry County deputy coroner confirmed four additional bodies had been found shortly afterwards, raising that county’s total to seven deaths.

The Knott County and Breathitt County coroners also confirmed additional deaths.

Here’s the latest we know about the catastrophic flooding.

Flags ordered at half staff to honor flood victims

9:25 a.m. — Gov. Andy Beshear ordered all state buildings to lower their flags to half staff to honor the Eastern Kentucky flood victims.

The order will go in place at sunrise Tuesday and end sundown next Monday.

“I encourage businesses, individuals and organizations throughout Kentucky to do the same,” Beshear said. “Let’s make sure we’re recognizing the loss that our people have been through.”

Governor: 30 confirmed dead, more deaths likely

9 a.m. – Beshear said 30 deaths had been confirmed from the Eastern Kentucky floods but acknowledged that there are additional deaths beyond the 30 confirmed.

While Beshear confirmed 30 deaths, other additional deaths had been confirmed to the Herald-Leader through county coroners.

Power outages eclipse 12,000

9 a.m. –12,492 people are still without power, according to Beshear. Perry, Letcher, Pike, Breathitt and Knott Counties all have over 1,000 individuals without power each, according to Beshear.

Over 150 people are being housed at state parks, Beshear said. Red Cross shelters are housing a similar number of people, according to Beshear.

Fayette County Sheriff’s Office accepting donation items

9 a.m. — The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday it will be collecting donation items for victims of the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky.

Items that will be accepted are cleaning supplies, non-perishable food items, bottled water and Gatorade, baby formula, diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates and utensils, generators, clothes, shoes, blankets, sheets, toys and gift cards.

Items can be dropped off at the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at the Fayette District Courthouse at 150 N. Limestone. Donations will be accepted through Friday.

“Our fellow Kentuckians in Eastern Kentucky are in great need right now. Our community has shown it is always ready to step up when needed. The Office of Sheriff stands ready to assist in this critical mission,” Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt said.

New flash flood warning issued in Eastern Kentucky

8:26 a.m. — The National Weather Service branch in Jackson has issued a flash flood warning for various parts of Eastern Kentucky.

Floyd County, Magoffin County, southern Johnson County, southern Martin County, northeastern Breathitt County and northern Pike County are all included in the flash flood warning until 10:30 a.m. Radar indicated that 1 to 2 inches of rain have fallen in the warned areas and an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected.

The National Weather Service said locations that have already seen recent heavy rain will be the most sensitive to additional rainfall.

Gov. Andy Beshear also noted that high winds with Monday’s storms are a concern.

“You think about how saturated the ground has been. It can knock over poles, it can knock over trees so people need to be careful,” Beshear said.

More flooding reported in Letcher, Knott Counties

8:15 a.m. — New flooding has been reported in Knott and Letcher Counties, according to WYMT.

Still shots from downtown cameras show flooding in downtown Neon, which was underwater last week. In Knott County, high water was reported just outside Hindman, in Larkslane and Emmalena.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 12, which services Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin & Pike Counties, posted pictures on its Facebook page of flash flooding. It said several roads are covered in water in the Fisty, Hindman and Mousie areas along Kentucky 550.

Kentucky 2759 is also blocked by a tree with several downed power lines.

UPS, Kroger will collect flood relief supplies

8 a.m. — UPS and Kroger have announced they’ll work together to collect and deliver relief supplies to flood victims in Eastern Kentucky.

There will be donation bins at 10 Kroger stores statewide. In Lexington, the Kroger stores on Beaumont Centre Circle and Richmond Road will feature donation bins. The others are in Louisville, Shelbyville, Georgetown, Corbin and London.

Cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items, including baby wipes, are being requested.

On Thursday, UPS will deliver the donations to Volunteers of America Mid-States and the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency in Manchester.

The Kroger Foundation and The UPS Foundation are also making $25,000 donations to Volunteers for America.

Curfew enforced in Breathitt County

8 a.m. – Curfews are being enforced in areas affected by the catastrophic floods due to looters.

The Jackson Police Department in Breathitt County said it’d be enforcing a curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. until further notice. The only exceptions to the curfew are for work purposes, medical emergencies and first responders, according to Jackson police.

The Clay City Police Department, Winchester Police Department and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department are assisting with the curfew enforcement.

“We will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of our already vulnerable community,” read a Facebook post from Jackson police. “We have lost enough!”

FEMA to process assistance applications in Knott County

7 a.m. — A mobile center to process applications for flood victims seeking federal assistance will open up in Knott County Monday.

The center will be at the Knott County Sportplex on Kenny Champion Loop in Leburn. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily afterward until further notice.

Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will be at the center to help with applications for federal assistance and provide information about other disaster recovery resources.

Homeowners and renters in Breathitt, Clay, Knott, Letcher and Perry Counties who are victims of the catastrophic floods are eligible for federal aid. Victims can apply online at disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.

Feds warn flood victims of fraud, scams

7 a.m. — As flood victims seek help in replacing lost items, FEMA wants to warn people of scams that have caught many victims of natural disasters in the past.

FEMA said that scammers often try to people’s personal information through identity and use that to apply for federal aid. If a FEMA inspector comes to your house or you get a letter from FEMA and you did not submit a FEMA application, you may be a victim of a scam, according to FEMA.

FEMA also said inspectors and officials never collect payment for disaster assistance and never promise a disaster grant in return for payment.

To report fraudulant activity, call the FEMA hotline at 800-621-3362. You can also call the Office of the Attorney General by calling 502-696-5485 or visit their website.

Fraud complaints can be filed online.

Breathitt Co. woman dies when ambulance can’t get through flood

7 a.m. — Breathitt County Coroner Hargis Epperson confirmed to the Herald-Leader that a woman died last week because an ambulance couldn’t get to her due to the floods.

The woman was suffering from chest pains and died in her husband and daughter’s arms, Epperson said. Epperson didn’t release the victim’s name.

The total deaths to come from Breathitt County from the floods sits at seven.