On Thursday morning, 17-year-old Chloe Adams woke up to water coming out from bathroom drains, seeping out of kitchen tiles, and rising fast to surround their home.
The teenager living with her grandfather was alone at home with Sandy, her dog, who has been with her since she was a toddler.
As per CNN, she remembered that water was everywhere and panicked. However, she was determined to make it out to safety and take her dog with her. Chloe's parents were at home but were a few feet away. Rushing waters separated Chloe from them. They yelled, urging Chloe to stay inside until the help arrived. However, the teenager was determined to make it out to safety and save her dog, Sandy.
Chloe tried to call 911, but her calls were unanswered with little cell service and an overwhelmed 911 center. Chloe realized she needed to leave the house to save her life and Sandy's.
Saving Sandy and herself
Chloe thought about swimming out to his uncle's house. However, Sandy could not swim, so she put the dog in something that floats. After experimenting with other pieces of furniture, Chloe placed the dog in a plastic drawer from her closet to keep the dog dry and then put the drawer over a sofa cushion to keep her afloat. Chloe admitted that she knew the dangers of swimming in deep and moving water but said she felt she had no choice.
She swam in cold waters, pushing the cushion in front of her until she reached the roof of a nearby storage building.
Chloe and the dog sat on the roof for more than five hours before Chloe's cousin rescued the teen and the dog using a kayak, WHAS11 says. Meanwhile, Chloe's family, sheltering on the second floor of her uncle's home, watched and talked to her as she waited for help.
When Chloe finally made it to her grandmother's home, the courageous teenager broke down, relieved that she and her dog had survived the flood.
Her father, Terry Adams, who posted the rescue, called her daughter a "hero." The father said they lost everything except the one thing that mattered most.
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Casualties of Kentucky Flood
According to Governor Andy Beshear, the heavy rains and floods across eastern Kentucky killed at least 28 people as rescuers searched for missing people. Beshear said that they expect the number of casualties to grow. The death toll included at least four children.
The governor also noted that the flood had displaced thousands of people, washed out roads, destroyed homes, and flooded schools. The power outage also impacted thousands of residents. More than 600 people have been rescued by aircraft and boat since the flood started.
The governor also announced that Kentucky is working to establish centers and asked for donations for cleaning supplies and water. ABC News reported that President Joe Biden approved the disaster declaration a week earlier.
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