UK Open Practice and Flood Relief Telethon

As we've watched the horrific scenarios unfolding in eastern Kentucky due to catastrophic flooding rains, we've also been keeping an eye on forecasts and wondering how much more will these people get. It's devastating.

EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING

As recently as Sunday, Governor Andy Beshear was warning about more flooding from rains through Monday morning. And as the death toll rises, more rain is on the way.

TEAM EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF FUND

If you want to help, you may contribute to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. Your tax-deductible donations can either be mailed or you can do it on the fundraiser's website. The ball is already rolling.

Needless to say, help can't get to eastern Kentucky quick enough, but the University of Kentucky, head basketball coach John Calipari, and the Wildcats are doing their part Monday with an open practice and a telethon.

UK BASKETBALL OPEN PRACTICE AND FLOOD RELIEF TELETHON

In fact, Calipari says his team came to him and essentially said, "We have to do something."

So Tuesday night, the Kentucky Wildcats--ranked in the top five in most way-too-early top 25 pre-season polls--will have an open practice as part of a telethon to raise whatever is needed to help folks devastated by the eastern Kentucky floods.

The practice will not be televised nationally, but donations will be accepted from everyone who attends.

Considering the excitement surrounding the coming season--the National Player of the Year, Oscar Tshiebwe, returning for this senior year is just one reason for the legit hype--it might end up being standing room only. The Rupp Arena doors will open at 5 PM Eastern Time Tuesday evening.

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF EFFORT

There are donation efforts popping up all over the Commonwealth. Here's a list of ITEMS that are needed if you're looking to donate something instead of or in addition to money.

I want to reiterate that the best way to make monetary donations for flood relief efforts is probably that new Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. I recommend bookmarking it for future reference--like I've done--because I'm afraid we're going to continue to need it in the near term.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.