Washington: Severe winter storms and heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across several parts of the United States on Sunday, resulting in deadly flooding in Kentucky that claimed at least nine lives. Among the victims, eight were reported in Kentucky alone.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the northern Plains faced life-threatening cold temperatures, while parts of Georgia and Florida experienced severe storms.
In Kentucky’s Hart County, a mother and her seven-year-old child lost their lives when their car was swept away by floodwaters in the Bonnieville community. Hart County official Tony Roberts confirmed the incident, which occurred late Saturday night. Additionally, a 73-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters in Clay County, according to the county's emergency management deputy director, Revell Berry.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Sunday that President Trump had approved the state’s request for federal assistance in response to the natural disaster.
NWS senior forecaster Bob Oravec reported that parts of Kentucky and Tennessee received up to six inches (about 15 centimeters) of rain between Saturday and Sunday. Oravec warned that the impact of the flooding could persist as rivers and streams remain swollen, noting, "Flooding can often last longer than the rainfall itself."
In Atlanta, Georgia, a man was killed early Sunday morning when a large tree fell on a house. Atlanta Fire Chief Scott Paul stated that emergency responders were dispatched shortly before 5 a.m. following a 911 call.
Meanwhile, dangerously cold temperatures gripped the northern U.S. plains, with forecasts predicting temperatures as low as -30°F near the Canadian border. The NWS warned that areas in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota could experience extreme cold, with wind chills ranging from -40°F to -50°F.
Heavy snowfall was expected across parts of New England and northern New York, with wind gusts of up to 97 kilometers per hour (60 mph), potentially creating hazardous conditions.
In Kentucky, floodwaters submerged vehicles and buildings, while landslides in Virginia blocked roads from Saturday through Sunday. Flash flood warnings were also issued for Tennessee and Arkansas, with authorities urging residents to avoid roadways.
As freezing temperatures arrived on Sunday morning, rain turned to snow in some areas of Kentucky, adding to the challenges for emergency responders.
Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency before the storms struck, anticipating severe flooding. On Sunday morning, he posted on social media, stating: "Widespread flooding continues," and confirmed that rescue operations to evacuate affected residents were underway.
The Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson announced the closure of its emergency department due to flooding, transferring patients to two nearby hospitals. Hospital officials added they would reassess conditions on Sunday morning to determine when it would be safe to reopen.
The severe weather event has caused significant disruption, with emergency teams working around the clock to ensure public safety amid ongoing flooding and extreme conditions across multiple states.
