Bahrain expresses sympathy with US over Kentucky flooding

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday expressed its sympathy and solidarity with the United States and condolences to the victims of the flooding unleashed by “epic” torrential rainfall that left at least 25 casualties, including 4 children.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its sincere condolences to the US Government and people, as well as the families of the victims, wishing those injured a speedy recovery and a safe return for the missing persons.

The floods marked the second major national disaster to strike Kentucky in seven months, following a swarm of tornadoes that claimed nearly 80 lives in the western part of the state in December.

Governor Andy Beshear said the number of confirmed flood-related fatalities yesterday rose to 25 from 15, including at least four children, and that the death toll would almost certainly climb as floodwaters recede and search teams find more bodies.

"There's still a lot of people unaccounted for," he said, declining to quantify the number missing. The floods resulted from downpours of 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 cm) of rain that fell over the region in 24 hours, a deluge that may prove unprecedented in the region's record books, said William Haneberg, an environmental sciences professor and director of the Kentucky Geological Survey.