Heavy rainfall and flash flooding struck the South and Midwest on Saturday, affecting regions already saturated from previous severe storms and tornadoes, bringing the death toll to 16 and causing extensive damage to infrastructure.
Continuous downpours across the central United States have led to rapid water level increases and multiple flash flood emergencies from Texas to Ohio. The National Weather Service anticipated numerous locations across multiple states would reach "major flood stage," potentially causing substantial damage to infrastructure.
Since Wednesday, rainfall exceeded 12 inches (30.5 centimetres) in parts of Kentucky and 8 inches (20 centimetres) in Arkansas and Missouri regions. Weather experts attributed the conditions to warm temperatures, atmospheric instability, wind shear and Gulf moisture.
In Louisville, Mayor Craig Greenberg reported the Ohio River rose 5 feet (about 1.5 metres) within 24 hours. Flash flood warnings persisted across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. Kentucky faced widespread road closures due to floods and debris.
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, experienced temporary relief as floodwaters receded. Falmouth, a town of 2,000 residents, faced mandatory evacuation due to the rising Licking River. Arkansas officials urged residents to limit travel, while BNSF Railway reported a bridge washout in Mammoth Spring.
The death toll from weather-related incidents has reached 16, including 10 in Tennessee. In Missouri, a 57-year-old man perished after exiting a vehicle swept off the road. Kentucky reported two casualties: a 9-year-old boy and a 74-year-old person found in a submerged vehicle. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a 5-year-old died in a weather-related incident. Earlier tornadoes caused seven fatalities and destroyed neighbourhoods.
According to AccuWeather's chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter, the extensive flooding near major cargo centres in Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis could disrupt shipping operations.
Nearly half of NWS forecast offices currently face 20% vacancy rates following Trump administration cuts, double the rate from ten years ago.
Experts indicated that river levels would continue to rise for several days.
Continuous downpours across the central United States have led to rapid water level increases and multiple flash flood emergencies from Texas to Ohio. The National Weather Service anticipated numerous locations across multiple states would reach "major flood stage," potentially causing substantial damage to infrastructure.
Since Wednesday, rainfall exceeded 12 inches (30.5 centimetres) in parts of Kentucky and 8 inches (20 centimetres) in Arkansas and Missouri regions. Weather experts attributed the conditions to warm temperatures, atmospheric instability, wind shear and Gulf moisture.
In Louisville, Mayor Craig Greenberg reported the Ohio River rose 5 feet (about 1.5 metres) within 24 hours. Flash flood warnings persisted across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. Kentucky faced widespread road closures due to floods and debris.
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, experienced temporary relief as floodwaters receded. Falmouth, a town of 2,000 residents, faced mandatory evacuation due to the rising Licking River. Arkansas officials urged residents to limit travel, while BNSF Railway reported a bridge washout in Mammoth Spring.
The death toll from weather-related incidents has reached 16, including 10 in Tennessee. In Missouri, a 57-year-old man perished after exiting a vehicle swept off the road. Kentucky reported two casualties: a 9-year-old boy and a 74-year-old person found in a submerged vehicle. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a 5-year-old died in a weather-related incident. Earlier tornadoes caused seven fatalities and destroyed neighbourhoods.
According to AccuWeather's chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter, the extensive flooding near major cargo centres in Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis could disrupt shipping operations.
Nearly half of NWS forecast offices currently face 20% vacancy rates following Trump administration cuts, double the rate from ten years ago.
Experts indicated that river levels would continue to rise for several days.
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