Severe flooding has ripped through eastern Kentucky since Wednesday, and so far, at least 25 people have lost their lives. The death toll is expected to rise.
But one family is reeling from the loss of four children, who were swept away from their parents in the flooding on Thursday. Brittany Trejo told the Lexington Herald-Leader that her four cousins between the ages of one and eight years old were killed in the flooding.
All four children’s bodies were located by 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed the children’s deaths. The children were identified as Maddison Noble, 8, Riley Noble Jr., 6, Naveah Noble, 4, and Chance Noble, 1.
Trejo told the outlet that the home of Riley Noble and Amber Smith flooded with water on Thursday.
“They got on the roof, and the entire underneath washed out with them and the children,” she said. “They managed to get to a tree and … held the children a few hours before a big tide came and wash[ed] them all away at the same time.”
Smith and Noble were stuck in the tree for eight hours before help arrived.
Trejo created a GoFundMe on Friday to help with the funeral expenses for the children. The online fundraiser had exceeded its $50,000 goal as of Saturday evening.
Gov. Beshear warns that the death toll is expected to rise. The governor announced Friday that deaths had been reported throughout four counties, but most have been in Knott County.
Due to so many missing people, Kentucky State Police spokesman Shane Goodall said it’s impossible to get an accurate count right now.
Hundreds of people have been rescued by National Guard members by air and water. Widespread property damage has resulted in the loss of power and cell phone service, hampering rescue efforts.
“To everyone in Eastern Kentucky, we are going to be there for you today and in the weeks, months, and years ahead. We will get through this together,” Beshear wrote on Twitter Saturday.
