Biden decries the “heartbreaking” devastation of Kentucky floods and links it to climate change

President Biden described the devastation in Kentucky as “heartbreaking” on a trip to survey damage from flooding that has killed nearly two dozen people, suggesting the natural disaster was linked to climate change.

Biden landed in Kentucky on Monday to discuss the flooding killed at least 37 people last week. Biden and First Lady Jill Biden meet with Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and tour the devastation throughout the afternoon.

During an open press conference, Biden brought up climate change as the cause of many disasters that have occurred since he took office.

“As you all know, we have suffered as a result of climate change, a significant number of other catastrophes across the country. In just a year and a half of being president I know that thousands of hectares of forest are burning. Yes they’ve burned more forests in the west than the entire state of New Jersey, New York, all the way to the Delmarva Peninsula,” Biden said.

The president praised first responders and a swift state, government and local response to the crisis and told the “heartbreaking” stories of families whose homes were destroyed and lives shattered.

KENTUCKY FLOOD DEVASTATION ‘NONE LIKE I’VE EVER SEEN,’ WOLFE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE CHIEF SAYS

He said, “And Jill and I are grateful to the first responders, and the National Guard, for what you do. You know, I think first responders at least up until recently were taken for granted across the country. Not now , after the Covid and some of the other things.

President Joe Biden participates in a briefing at Marie Roberts Elementary School on the response to the devastating floods, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Lost Creek, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“And you think about how unbelievably heartbreaking these people are, as you look at those creeks and streams that are now brown. And you see from the helicopter, you see, automobiles, from buses to automobiles to houses, literally in the in the middle of the water on the side of the road. And you think, what in God’s name happened to those 37? Thirty-eight people who are dead, you know, and you hear about the grandmother and the granddaughter they climb 16 hours. to get off the road and end up in trouble.”

Piles of debris lie near a church after massive flooding Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Lost Creek, Kentucky.
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said the flooding is another sign that climate change is making natural disasters worse during a press briefing on the way to the Commonwealth.

Beshear has deployed more than 400 National Guard in the affected region. Victims who lost their homes have had little respite in the days since, with the state enduring 100-degree weather and soaring humidity.

So far, first responders have rescued about 1,300 people from the rubble of the destroyed cities.

The road leading to a bridge over a creek is cracked and broken after massive flooding Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, in Chavies, Kentucky.
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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Biden declared the flood a federal disaster last week, giving the state access to federal resources to pay for rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Anders Hagstrom of Fox News contributed to this report.