A series of powerful storms has swept through the central and eastern United States, leading to the deaths of at least 16 individuals and causing catastrophic flooding, as reported by officials on Saturday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of life threatening flash floods and expects even more severe weather in the days ahead as this relentless system continues to batter the area.
Tennessee really took a hit from the storm, reporting 10 confirmed deaths in its western region. Over in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear shared the news of two fatalities, one of which was a child who was swept away by the floodwaters. Missouri and Indiana each had two more storm related deaths to report, and in Arkansas, authorities found a five year old who tragically their life in a storm damaged home in Little Rock.
The storms that stretched from Arkansas all the way to Ohio brought tornadoes, heavy rains, and hurricane like winds. They left homes in ruins, uprooted trees, and flipped cars over. Social media was filled with images showing neighborhoods submerged, buildings that had fallen apart, and roads that had become rivers.
The NWS has issued a warning: "Severe, widespread flash flooding is anticipated through Sunday, putting lives and property at significant risk." Kentucky’s Governor Beshear has advised residents to avoid traveling, highlighting that floodwaters have reached unprecedented levels in many areas. According to PowerOutage.us, more than 100,000 homes and businesses were still without power early Sunday in Arkansas and Tennessee.
The threat is not over. Forecasters have warned about the possibility of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms this Sunday in the Tennessee and Lower Mississippi Valleys. Scientists point to climate change as one of the causes behind the growing intensity of these storms, which is making extreme weather more common. The US has already experienced a record hot 2024, along with a wave of tornadoes and hurricanes trends that experts warn will escalate as global warming continues to shake up weather patterns.