Rivers have risen and flooding has intensified across the saturated regions of the US South and Midwest, threatening communities already significantly damaged by days of heavy rainfall and wind, claiming the lives of at least 18 people.
Although the rain has begun to recede in some of the most severely impacted areas of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, water levels continue to rise in various communities, inundating homes and businesses and submerging roads.
In Frankfort, Kentucky, rescue teams have been navigating flooded streets in inflatable boats to check on residents in the state capital. Additionally, workers have constructed sandbag barriers to safeguard homes and businesses, while utilities have been shut off as the swollen Kentucky River continues to rise.
As of Sunday, the river’s depth had surpassed 14 metres and is anticipated to reach almost 15 metres by Monday morning, potentially reaching setting a record high, according to Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson. The city’s flood wall system is designed to withstand water levels of up to 15.5 metres.
Meteorologists have indicated that flooding may persist as heavy rains continue to affect several states. Tornado watches were issued in parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida throughout much of Sunday.
Storms have resulted in a tragic loss of life
The 18 reported fatalities since the onset of the storms on Wednesday include 10 individuals from Tennessee. A 9-year-old boy in Kentucky was swept away by floodwaters while enroute to his school bus.
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In Arkansas, a 5-year-old boy died when a tree fell on his family’s home, trapping him, according to police reports. Additionally, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter from Missouri lost his life in a vehicle accident while attempting to rescue others caught in the storm.
The National Weather Service reported on Sunday that numerous locations across multiple states are expected to reach a “major flood stage,” with widespread flooding of structures, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure likely.