Devastating Tornadoes and Flash Flooding Claim Lives Across the US

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – A relentless barrage of tornadoes and historic flash flooding across several states has now claimed at least 16 lives, according to state and local officials.

The latest death occurred near the town of Boston, Kentucky, where the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office said a 74-year-old driver was found dead Saturday morning in their vehicle after authorities responded to a call for a water rescue. Authorities have not identified the victim.

At least 10 of those deaths happened in Tennessee, state officials said. On Thursday, President Donald Trump approved the disaster declaration for all 95 counties in Tennessee, setting in motion FEMA’s response to disaster relief across the state.

Life-threatening flooding and dangerous severe weather pummeled large swaths of the nation’s heartland again Friday night for the third night in a row, and Saturday is shaping up to be just as bad, if not worse, for some areas with worries of heavy rainfall not seen in generations.

Flash Flooding Emergency Warnings Issued

In a sign of what could be yet to come for many this weekend, torrential rains stalled over southeastern Missouri and the Texarkana region of northeastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas on Friday night, triggering multiple Flash Flood Emergency warnings – the National Weather Service’s most dire flooding alert.

In Missouri, tens of thousands in Cape Girardeau and Van Buren were under flooding emergency Friday night. Cape Girardeau reported over 3 inches of rain in just over 90 minutes late Friday evening in one burst, with emergency managers reporting at least 10 roads covered in water and ongoing water rescues.

Farther south, forecasters issued similar dire warnings for Texarkana, where 2-4 inches of rain fell, and water rescues were ongoing.

Texarkana police were responding to stranded motorists on Friday night across the Texas city during the Flash Flooding Emergency.

“We’re just gonna lay it out there … If you don’t have a darn good reason for being out (like one that involves a visit to the emergency room), please stay home and off the roads!! This is not just another Friday night in Texarkana,” the Texarkana Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Widespread Flooding and Damage Reported

Earlier in the day, officials in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, reported 60% of their downtown area was underwater.

The flooding has swamped numerous homes and submerged cars in Hopkinsville.

“It’s destroyed. I can’t salvage anything out of it,” said Paul Garrett, a Hopkinsville resident whose home was flooded. “I’ve lived here a long time, and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. The weather crew has been good about warning us about things. Take it for granted or not, you just wind up at the wrong place at the wrong time.”

About 120,000 people remain without power in Arkansas as of Saturday afternoon, according to FindEnergy.com

Tornado Warnings and Severe Weather

Meanwhile, dozens of Tornado Warnings wailed across the Lower Mississippi Valley and into northeastern Texas as a stalled frontal system spawned a renewed round of severe thunderstorms and super cells.

Significant damage to structures was reported around Clarksville, Texas, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Spotters reported to the National Weather Service office in Shreveport, Louisiana, that a bottling plant in Hawkins, Texas, was damaged by a nearby tornado strike.

The tornado was part of a series of supercells tracked by National Weather Service meteorologists across East Texas. It followed nearly the same path as the twister that struck the plant in 2016.

Catastrophic Flash Flooding Threatens Millions

The dire flooding threat stretches through the weekend. Repeating rounds of rainfall will lead to potentially historic amounts, particularly focused on the lower Ohio Valley, mid-South and Ozarks, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

Storm total rain amounts of 5-15 inches are likely, and some locations may see up to 20 inches. Rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour or more will lead to rapid-onset flash flooding, leaving people caught off guard by the speed of water rise.

Since Monday, over 9 inches of rain has fallen in Lewisburg, Kentucky, with just over 7 inches in Bowling Green, nearly 7 inches in Memphis and nearly 4 inches in Nashville.

A category 4 risk for flash flooding – the highest level on the warning system – remains in effect for more than 5 million people through early Sunday morning. That includes large cities like Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Memphis.

Nashville is just outside that zone in a level 3 flash flood risk.

“Saturday is the day that concerns me the most right now,” said Meteorologist Ryan Husted with the National Weather Service in Nashville. “Because we have time for our atmosphere to recharge, which means we have the potential for dangerous severe thunderstorms once again. In addition, our ground is saturated — that means any rain that falls will run off and it’s going to cause flooding. I’m very confident that Saturday is a dangerous day for flash flooding going into Saturday night.”

Severe Weather Remains a Threat

As has also been the case much of the week, multiple rounds of severe storms producing damaging winds and a few tornadoes are forecast for Saturday and Saturday night from the Sabine Valley into the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Some strong tornadoes (EF-2+), very large hail, and severe gusts above 70 mph will be possible.

The day will be active right from the start, as storms line up from northeast Texas up into the Ohio Valley. Flooding rain, quarter-size hail, and a few 60+ mph wind gusts will be the primary concerns.

As the day goes on, a notable risk of tornadoes will be in place across northern Louisiana, central Mississippi, and far northeast Texas. Finally, a notable increase in the threat for damaging non-tornadic winds will exist from western Tennessee down as far south as the Houston metro. Wind gusts from these storms may top 75 mph.

Conclusion

The severe weather and flooding events have already claimed at least 16 lives, and the situation is expected to worsen over the weekend. It is essential for people in the affected areas to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the current situation with the severe weather and flooding?

A: The severe weather and flooding events have already claimed at least 16 lives, and the situation is expected to worsen over the weekend. Multiple Flash Flood Emergency warnings have been issued, and tens of thousands of people are under flooding emergency.

Q: What areas are most affected by the flooding and severe weather?

A: The areas most affected by the flooding and severe weather include southeastern Missouri, the Texarkana region of northeastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Q: What is the forecast for the weekend?

A: The forecast for the weekend is dire, with repeating rounds of rainfall leading to potentially historic amounts and rapid-onset flash flooding. Multiple rounds of severe storms producing damaging winds and a few tornadoes are also forecast.

Q: What should people in the affected areas do to stay safe?

A: People in the affected areas should stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure their safety. They should also avoid traveling unless necessary