Kentucky flooding deaths set to climb as more rain forecast

Rescue services pick up people stranded by the floodwaters (Timothy D. Easley/AP)

Trapped homeowners swam to safety and others were rescued by boat as record flash flooding killed at least 16 people in eastern Kentucky and swamped entire towns, prompting a frenzied search for survivors through some of the poorest communities in America.

Heavy rain continued to pound the region on Friday and authorities warned the death toll was likely to grow sharply.