Kentucky rescue crews save family of 5 trapped in attic during flooding, video shows

Rescue crews in Kentucky saved five people trapped inside an attic as floodwaters nearly submerged homes following catastrophic flooding in the eastern part of the state last week.

As rescue operations continue in eastern Kentucky communities, Wolfe County Search and Rescue shared video of one such operation over the weekend.

Wolfe County swift water techs can be seen onboard a watercraft while a Kentucky National Guard helicopter hovers above the roofs of homes barely standing above the swirling floodwaters.

Rescuers said that the techs broke through a window in the home to reach the trapped family in the attic. All five were taken out of the home one at a time to the roof, where a guardsman helped coordinate the hoist via helicopter. 

KENTUCKY’S APPALACHIAN CULTURAL CENTER RECOVERING FROM FLOODING

One family member hoisted to safety was an 83-year-old woman, rescuers said. No other details about those rescued were immediately available. 

As communities try to recover from the massive flooding, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday that the death toll has risen to 30, with hundreds of people remaining unaccounted for.

Parts of eastern Kentucky received between 8 and 10 1/2 inches of rain over 48 hours last week and the National Weather Service said radar indicated up to 4 inches of rain fell Sunday in some areas. 

More severe storms were possible across all the counties affected by the flooding, Beshear said.

On Sunday, Beshear appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” painting a grim picture of what can be expected in the days and weeks to come.

“We’re going to be finding bodies for weeks,” Beshear said. “Many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter mile plus from where they were lost.”