LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When it comes to natural disasters in eastern Kentucky, usually the first event that comes to Kentuckian's minds is the flood of 1957. But residents said what happened last week in Breathitt County was worse.  

Cooling centers are opening as temperatures expected to soar.

At Troublesome Creek, right off Highway 476 near Perry County, the water has taken items down the road to a destination unknown. 

Trailers were tossed across the water, which resembled a raging river, and countless homes were destroyed along Troublesome Creek. Everything from a washer, parts of houses and dressers were also seen floating down the creek. 

Doug Sizemore, who has lived along the creek for more than 50 years, said the water has never before gotten close to his home.

"Then it poured and poured," Sizemore said. "I went to sleep about 11:30, got up at 2:30, and it was already under the house. In two hours, it probably raised 30 feet. ... In five hours, it raised 50 feet, probably." 

When the creek rose early Thursday morning, it destroyed his house. Sizemore has recovered a few pictures, including of his wife, Eula, who died last year.

Just down the road on Highway 476 in Perry County, Ed Southwood was eating his lunch on the hood of a borrowed truck. He had nowhere else to go, as his home, garage and vehicles were destroyed in the flood. At least six of his neighbors died in the flooding. In eastern Kentucky, the death toll rose to 37 as another round of storms hit the disaster areas Monday.

"Material things don't matter when it comes to a life," Southwood said. 

The Breathitt County Attorney’s Office is open this week to help residents access any resources they may need. 

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