FEMA faces criticism for response as flood death count grows

The number of people who died as a result of flash flooding in eastern Kentucky has risen to 39.

Governor Andy Beshear says the death count rose when a death was counted in Breathitt County. He didn't identify the person or provide details. On Thursday, the governor criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency for denying too many requests for assistance in the flood-ravaged Appalachian region.

FEMA Press Secretary Jeremy Edwards says the agency is working to “reduce barriers and cut red tape.” He says FEMA personnel will stay as long as it takes to help Kentuckians recover.

In this aerial photo, some homes in Breathitt County, Ky., are still surrounded by water Saturday, July 30, 2022, after historic rains flooded many areas of Eastern Kentucky killing multiple people. The mysterious death of a high school athlete who spent days helping his fellow eastern Kentuckians clean up from historic flooding has added a new layer of grief to the tragedy. On Wednesday, Aug. 10, Aaron “Mick” Crawford was counted as the 38th person to die as a result of flash flooding that swept away homes and swallowed communities last month in the Appalachian region. (Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal via AP, File)