August 1, 2022

At least 37 dead in devastating Kentucky flooding

WATCH: Death toll due to extreme flooding in Kentucky at least 37 people

The death toll from the devastating flooding that hit eastern Kentucky continues to rise as more rain hits the region, according to officials.

A total of 37 people have been confirmed dead, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday evening.

Among those killed are four siblings -- ages 8, 6, 4 and 2 -- who were swept away in the water, according to family members.

Brandi Smith
Siblings Nevaeh Noble, Riley Noble, Chance Noble, and Madison Noble, who died during flooding in Kentycky, are pictured in undated family photos.
Allie Schallert/AP
A man helps two people walk through flood water after their car got stuck in St. Louis, Mo., July 28, 2022.

Beshear said Monday morning that "there are hundreds of unaccounted for people, minimum."

"With so many more still missing. Let us pray for these families and come together to wrap our arms around our fellow Kentuckians," Beshear said in a statement Monday evening.

More rain fell Monday as search and rescue teams continued to look for those who are unaccounted for, and a new round of heavy rain is expected early Tuesday.

Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
A Perry County school bus, along with other debris, sits in a creek near Jackson, Ky., July 31, 2022.
Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP
Firefighters with Engine House No. 10 assist a group of adults and students off a bus that got stuck in rising flood waters in St. Louis, Ky., July 28, 2022.
MORE: 1 dead after historic rainfall in St. Louis causes flash flooding emergency

A new flash flood watch has been issued for eastern Kentucky for Monday evening through Tuesday morning. Rainfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Severe storms packing damaging winds are also possible in Louisville and Lexington.

The additional precipitation could cause water levels to rise again in the same area that experienced the catastrophic flooding that began with heavy rains last Wednesday.

Kentucky National Guard/AFP via Getty Images
An aerial view of the flooded area in eastern Kentucky, July 30, 2022.
Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
Volunteers work at a distribution center of donated goods in Buckhorn, Ky., following historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky, July 31, 2022.
MORE: Flooding hits Las Vegas after overnight downpours

Beshear described "widespread damage" that displaced thousands of people, including power outages for thousands of people as well as washed-out roads, destroyed homes and flooded schools.

More than 600 people have been rescued by aircraft and boat since the flooding began, Beshear said.

Chris Kenning/USA Today Network
Dustin Elam, 31, stands in his children's former bedroom after his home was destroyed by flooding in Breathitt County, Ky., on Aug. 1, 2022.
USA Today Network via Reuters
Members of the Tennessee Task Force One search and rescue team wade through the debris-filled Troublesome Creek, after a search dog detected the scent of a potential victim in Perry County, Ky., July 31, 2022.

President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration.

The destruction in Kentucky is the latest extreme flooding event to take place in the U.S. in less than a week.

Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP
Homes and structures are flooded near Quicksand, Ky., July 28, 2022.
Chris Kenning/USA Today Network
A flood-damaged home is shown along Bowling Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky, Aug. 1, 2022.

Heavy downpours caused flash flooding in Las Vegas on Friday, with rising waters seen on roadways and parking garages in busy parts of Sin City.

The megadrought has caused the soil in the region to become so dry that it could not absorb the heavy rains, which helped to contribute to the flooding.

Earlier in the week, a flash flooding emergency occurred near St. Louis, which had a record-breaking 8.56 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. One person was found dead in a car on Tuesday after the water began to recede, officials said.

ABC News' Matt Foster, Kenton Gewecke and Melissa Griffin contributed to this report.