Pike County’s emergency management director said Monday that the worst flood they’ve seen since 1977 has claimed the lives of at least three people – all adults. Nee Jackson said he expects that number will climb as more roads become passable.
“We did hundreds of rescues. I don't know exactly how many. Don't have those numbers yet, but, and I don't know if we'll ever know exactly how many were rescued, but we have, we have hundreds that were rescued.”
Jackson said the Big Sandy River crested at nearly 47 feet and its Tug Fork tributary at more than 48 feet. He said as they recede, Pike countians will face other hardships.
“We have two Walmarts in the county. Both Walmarts were flooded. People say, ‘Well, what does that mean?’ Well, with Walmart, that's the one stop shop for a lot of people. So you know that's, they're both going to be closed until further notice.”
Jackson said Monday’s challenges include opening a flood wall in the south Williamson area in order to get food trucks to Appalachian Regional Hospital Tug Valley. Asked if there was anything else he’d like to say, he asked for thoughts and prayers.
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