At least three people have died after torrential rains caused massive flooding in the eastern US state of Kentucky, its governor announced Thursday, fearing the death toll could rise further.

“We are witnessing one of the worst and most devastating floods in eastern Kentucky history,” Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters. “There are a lot of people from eastern Kentucky on his roof, waiting to be rescued.”

He later said that three deaths had been confirmed, including that of an 81-year-old woman, and that he expected a “double-digit” death toll. Several people are missing.

Twenty centimeters of rain in 24 hours

Around Jackson, some roads have become rivers, with abandoned cars here and there. At the bottom of small valleys surrounded by forests, the land was flooded Thursday with light brown muddy water that left only the roofs of buildings and trees protruding in places. Parts of Kentucky received about 20 centimeters of rain in 24 hours.

The governor declared a state of emergency in a handful of counties, and four National Guard helicopters, along with rigid inflatable boats, were deployed to help with relief operations.

“A lot of people need help,” the governor said. “And we’re doing everything we can to reach every one of them.”

But “the situation is difficult,” he admitted. “Hundreds of people are going to lose their homes and this will be a new event that will take not months, but probably years, for families to rebuild and get back on their feet.”

About 25,000 people are without power, some without running water, in the state, Gov. Andy Beshear said.