At least nine people have died over the weekend as torrential downpours drenched parts of the southeastern U.S., submerging roads and homes. Particularly in Kentucky, where Governor Andy Beshear said eight people had died and the overall death toll expected to rise even more, Southeastern flooding has caused major destruction. “We have over 300 road closures,” Beshear stated during a Sunday news conference, urging residents to avoid travel and stay safe. A ninth fatality was reported in Georgia when a man sleeping in his bed was struck by a fallen tree that tore into his house.
How Widespread Was the Destruction Across the Region?
Several southeastern states, including Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, were under some form of storm-related alert. Many of these areas—many of which had previously suffered terrible devastation from Hurricane Helene in September—are now coping with the repercussions of the fresh water. With notable power disruptions and extensive evacuations, southeastern flooding has left behind great damage.
According to poweroutage.us, more than half a million homes all throughout these states lacked power by Sunday night. The brunt of the damage appears to have occurred in Kentucky, where a mother and her seven-year-old child, along with a 73-year-old man, were among the dead.
How wide-ranging the flooding is in Kentucky?
Parts of Kentucky had up to six inches (15 cm) of rain, which led to extensive flooding problems. As shown on internet footage, the unexpected flood of rain immediately raised river levels, trapping automobiles under feet of water. “The rivers are still going to rise,” Kentucky Division of Emergency Management head Eric Gibson said on Sunday. “The effects will continue for a while—there’s a lot of swollen streams and flooding going on.”
Governor Beshear warned that the worst flooding had not yet passed, and he requested an emergency disaster declaration from the White House. Notwithstanding his earlier recommendations to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), President Donald Trump approved the proposal, allowing the agency to organize disaster relief activities.
What more hazards the flooding poses?
“Rapid onset flooding” resulted from a levee breaking during heavy rain in Obion County, Tennessee. A local National Weather Service (NWS) account on X advised individuals to “GET TO HIGH GROUND NOW! This is a LIFE-THREATENuating situation.” The flood barrier’s breach left the town of Rives, near the Obion River, badly flooded. Red boat rescue personnel were seen negotiating past flooded homes while brown water surged over trees and boulders.
Declaring a state of emergency on Facebook, Steve Carr, the mayor of Obion County, said that “rising water, no electricity, and freezing temperatures” will force mandatory evacuations in Rives, therefore adding to a life-threatening scenario. With a population of about 300, Rives suffered greatly from the southeast flooding.
How Are Other States Responding to the Crisis?
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey proclaimed a state of emergency for 10 counties on Saturday, subsequently adding another three counties to the list. He encouraged locals to remain vigilant as things continued to worsen.
Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which controls FEMA, told governors that federal resources were ready to assist. She said the department is ready to offer instantaneous support even though local authorities usually oversee emergency management. “DHS stands ready to offer resources and support immediately,” Noem said in a statement.
Exist Any More Concerns Regarding Weather for the Region?
Meteorologists have also warned that a polar vortex is moving towards the northern Rocky Mountains and northern Plains in the coming week, which could bring extremely low temperatures. In Colorado, temperatures could drop as low as 14°F (-10°C), leading the city of Denver to open shelters for its homeless population over the weekend.
With southeastern floods still threatening the region, and extreme cold on the horizon, authorities are urging locals to remain careful and follow warnings as the situation evolves.
