Flooding caused by torrential rains in Appalachia has claimed the lives of at least eight people in Kentucky and left others scrambling to rooftops for safety.

In eastern Kentucky, houses, businesses, and roadways were inundated by water spilled from hillside crevices and streambeds. In addition, parts of western Virginia and southern West Virginia saw widespread flooding. Floodwater-trapped individuals were rescued by rescue workers using helicopters and boats.

Thursday evening, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear tweeted that the state's fatality toll from floods had grown to eight. He requested ongoing prayers for the region, preparing for additional rainfall.

Mr. Beshear stated earlier in the day, "This event, in a word, is devastating." And I believe it will be one of the most significant and catastrophic floods that Kentucky has experienced in a very long time.

Mr. Beshear warned of widespread property loss in Kentucky. The governor stated that officials were establishing a donation site for residents affected by flooding.

According to the governor, dangerous circumstances and persistent precipitation impeded rescue attempts on Thursday.

Mr. Beshear stated, "We are currently unable to reach a large number of individuals in need." We shall.

In the past several days, thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain on the hilly terrain of eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, and southern West Virginia, causing flash flooding and mudslides.

According to the National Weather Service, in large portions of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southwest Virginia, further flooding is probable through Friday. More precipitation is forecast for the region, and forecasters predicted that the largest risk of flash floods would shift eastward toward West Virginia.

More than 31,000 people were without power in eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, with most outages occurring in Kentucky.

Mr. Beshear stated on Thursday, "Many people are waiting to be rescued on roofs in eastern Kentucky." There are several unaccounted-for individuals, and I am almost convinced we will lose some of them in this situation.

Perry County, located in eastern Kentucky, was deemed a "catastrophic event" by the director of Emergency Management, Jerry Stacy. Throughout the night, rescue workers aided those stuck by rising waters.

Mr. Stacy told The Associated Press over the phone as he sought to reach his office in Hazard, "Right now, we're just in the mode of rescue." Extreme flash flooding and mudslides are all around.

The storms struck an Appalachian mountain region where communities and residences are perched on steep slopes or set deep in the hollows between hills, where creeks and streams can quickly swell. Mr. Stacy said that this flood was significantly worse than average.

He stated, "I've lived in Perry County my entire life, and this is by far the worst event I've ever witnessed."

According to the National Weather Service, as much as six inches (15 centimeters) of rain had fallen in some regions by Thursday, and an additional 1-3 inches (7.5 centimeters) could fail.

Mr. Beshear stated that he has dispatched National Guard troops to the hardest-hit districts and opened three regional parks as shelters for displaced individuals.

Governor Jim Justice announced a state of emergency for six West Virginia counties after severe thunderstorms this week caused widespread flooding, downed trees, power outages, and blocked roadways.

Thursday may bring more showers and storms, according to the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Virginia. Flooding was also reported in southwest Virginia.