LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: A number of counties in Kentucky and West Virginia are under emergency declarations today in the wake of those torrential rains and flooding we've been telling you about. CNN's Eric Horng reports on a storm that took parts of the East by deadly surprise.</s>ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In northeastern Kentucky, a deadly weekend of flooding, parts of the state receiving up to four inches of rain, swelling rivers and creeks, turning some streets into waterways. In Louisville, River Road and Waterfront Park lived up to their names. Crews erected flood walls and watched as the water kept rising. State officials declared five counties near the Ohio River disaster areas, the flood blamed for at least three deaths. Officials say it could have been much worse. Dry ground, parched by months of drought conditions, soaked up much of the rain. But despite appearances, weather experts say the downpour was not a drought-buster, leaving residents lingering between two weather extremes.</s>BOB KLEIN, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: One rainfall event, though, regardless of how big it is, usually doesn't end the drought.</s>HORNG: Heavy rains also plagued West Virginia, damaging dozens of homes and businesses. The governor declared a state of emergency for at least 21 counties. Across the state, residents were caught off guard by the rising flood waters. Rescue crews were able to save this woman, but officials say the flood claimed at least two lives in the state. The same system's heavy snow in New Hampshire also proved deadly. An avalanche trapped two people on the eastern face of Mount Washington. The skiers apparently ignored warnings posted after seven inches of snow fell Friday.</s>LEWIS BALDWIN, APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB: So even though they might not have been very aggressive, they were in the wrong place, maybe without certain skill.</s>HORNG: One skier died. The other, buried up to her waist, was able to escape. Eric Horng, CNN.
Storm Takes Parts of East by Deadly Surprise