Authorities are bracing for the death toll from floods in Eastern Kentucky to continue to rise this weekend as the extent of the damage is becoming increasingly visible.
At least 16 people are dead as of Friday night after torrential rains flooded the region, destroying hundreds of homes and devastating communities across several counties.
Photos show houses and businesses half-submerged in the murky flood waters. Streets look like rivers — filled with floating tree branches, trashed vehicles and debris from homes swept away by the current.
Stranded community members were picked up by boats.
UPDATES:Friday’s Kentucky flooding news
Finding all the victims could take weeks, according to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who said the death toll is expected to grow.
“We may have even lost entire families,” Beshear said in a video Friday. He said at least six children were among the victims.
Search and rescue teams, with the help of the National Guard, continued searching for missing people Friday evening.
Photos show the destruction:
Contributing: The Associated Press; Caleb Stultz, Lucas Aulbach, Thomas Birmingham, Jordan D. Brown, Christal Hayes, Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK.