FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: DEADLY FLOODING IN KENTUCKY , DOZENS KILLED, DEATH TOLL LIKELY TO RISE!

4 children among dozens killed in Kentucky flooding, toll expected to rise It could take weeks to find all the victims of the record flash flooding, says governor At least 25 people died — including four children — when torrential rains swamped towns across Appalachia, Kentucky's governor said Saturday.

"We continue to pray for the families that have suffered an unfathomable loss," Gov. Andy Beshear said. "Some having lost almost everyone in their household."

Beshear said the number would likely rise significantly and it could take weeks to find all the victims of the record flash flooding. Rescue crews continue the struggle to get into hard-hit areas, some of them among the poorest places in America.

"I'm worried that we're going to be finding bodies for weeks to come," Beshear said during a midday briefing.

He said it's still an active search and rescue operation with a goal of getting as many people to safety as possible. Crews have made more than 1,200 rescues from helicopters and boats, the governor said. Beshear, who flew over parts of the flood-stricken region on Friday, described it as "just total devastation, the likes of which we have never seen."

"We are committed to a full rebuilding effort to get these folks back on their feet," he said. "But for now, we're just praying that we don't lose anybody else."

The rain let up early Friday after parts of eastern Kentucky received between 20 to 27 centimetres over 48 hours. But some waterways were not expected to crest until Saturday.

'We're just hoping we can get some help'

In the tiny community of Garrett on Saturday, couches, tables and pillows soaked by flooding were stacked in yards along the foothills of the mountainous region as people worked to clear out debris and shovel mud from driveways and roads.

In nearby Wayland, Phillip Michael Caudill was working to clean up debris and salvage what he can from the home he shares with his wife and three children. The waters had receded from the house but left a mess behind along with questions about what he and his family will do next.