JULY 14, 2015
JOHNSON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) -One person is dead and several others are still missing after flash flooding hit Johnson County on Monday.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Stephen Mounts, during a news conference Tuesday afternoon, said that in addition to the death of one man, there is a fluctuating number of people who have not been located. Mounts said at least seven were missing, but that list is "fluid." Many of those who are missing are between the ages of 22 and 74, he said.
Mounts said they are checking the identity of anyone entering the area. Anyone who is not supposed to be in Johnson County is being turned around, he said.
The Johnson County coroner says the victim, who has not been identified, drowned in the Flat Gap Community.
According to our partners at the Lexington Herald-Leader the man who died had gotten out of his vehicle and tried to walk through flood waters along Patterson Creek in Flat Gap. It is unclear whether the man fell or was bumped by a floating car, but he drowned before onlookers pulled him from water.
The county was hit by several inches of rain in the past 24 to 48 hours, leaving a trail of damage in the Eastern Kentucky region.
At least 50 rescues have been performed in the past 24 hours, Johnson County officials said.
HELP IS NEEDED
The worst of the flooding happened in the Flat Gap Community along Ramey Branch. Highways 172 and 201 were both closed on Monday because of the excessive flood waters. Rescuers were searching 8 to 8.5 miles from Flat Gap to the south.
Johnson County Emergency Management Officials says as many as 150 homes were destroyed, but 500 homes were affected to some extent. Debris, weather and high waters have all created challenges for rescue efforts.
Crews say they will keep looking for missing people despite an ongoing flash flood warning that is in place for most of the state. There is a long-term recovery committee that was created after 2012 tornadoes.
Volunteers from agencies in Johnson and all the surrounding counties have showed up to provide assistance.
Emergency Management Director Gary McClure said 47 National Guard members have gone to Johnson County. McClure said they are accepting -- and need -- donations. He said people can donate through the county judge executive's office. He said it will take a few days to get feet on the ground and figure out what donations are needed.
Captain Sean Welch, a KSP post commander, said officials have mapped out an area and their search is predominately on the ground. Weather is hindering their ability to search, and he said there have been breaks in communication. They have a large area to cover, and they want to keep responders safe.
They don't want to create more of a situation by putting responders at risk, he said.
Welch said they are asking the public to avoid traveling to the area because it creates a lot of gridlock. If people are searching for loved ones, he said they should contact state police or Johnson County dispatch.
"Obviously, were dealing with difficulties out there with debris and still weather conditions and very dangerous conditions because of the water," he said.