At least 26 people, including children, have died as a result of flooding caused by severe rains in eastern Kentucky, according to a statement released by Governor Andy Beshear on Sunday. Additional fatalities are expected, and police expect to continue discovering bodies for weeks.

"There is widespread damage with many families displaced and more rain expected throughout the next day," the governor tweeted on Sunday.

The governor told NBC News, "I know of several additional bodies, and we know it's going to grow," "We are going to be finding bodies for weeks."

As of Saturday, four children were confirmed deceased, and the governor told NBC News he anticipated the number would increase by at least two on Sunday. The governor stated that more bodies would be discovered as responders reached more rural locations.

The National Weather Service predicts numerous showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday, which may bring further precipitation in the upcoming days. The EPA issued a flood watch through Monday morning for southern and eastern Kentucky portions.

The floods were the second significant national tragedy to strike Kentucky in seven months, following a cluster of almost 80 fatal tornadoes in the state's western region in December.

Beshear issued a state of emergency on Thursday and labeled the calamity as "one of the worst, most devastating flooding events" in the history of Kentucky.

Friday, President Joe Biden declared a severe disaster in Kentucky, authorizing federal aid for the state.

PowerOutage.US reported over 14,000 reported power outages across the state on Sunday afternoon.

Beshear stated that it could take years to rebuild the damage caused by the storms.