16 dead in ‘devastating’ Kentucky flooding with death toll expected to double, says state governor

The death toll from severe flooding in Kentucky hit 16 on Friday and is expected to double, the US state’s governor said, after torrential rains caused flash floods that swept away some homes while people slept.

“Tough news is 16 confirmed fatalities now, and folks that’s going to get a lot higher,” Governor Andy Beshear said at a media briefing.

“It is devastating,” Beshear told CNN earlier in the day, saying he expected the toll to “more than double.”

“Some people’s houses were completely swept away in the middle of the night while they were sleeping,” the governor said.

Hundreds of people had been rescued by boat and there had been about 50 aerial rescues using National Guard helicopters, he said.