Latest blast of deadly winter weather sweeps across the US

Kentucky faces severe flooding

At least nine people have died in the most recent round of harsh weather to pummel the U.S., including eight people in Kentucky who died as creeks swelled from heavy rain and water covered roads. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that hundreds of people stranded by flooding had to be rescued. President Donald Trump approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts throughout the state.

Beshear said most of the deaths, including a mother and 7-year-old child, were caused by cars getting stuck in high water. "So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive," he said. "This is the search and rescue phase, and I am very proud of all the Kentuckians that are out there responding, putting their lives on the line."

Beshear said there have been 1,000 rescues across the state since the storms began Saturday. The storms knocked out power to about 39,000 homes, but Beshear warned that harsh winds in some areas could increase outages.

Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee received up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain, said Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service. "The effects will continue for awhile, a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding going on," Oravec said Sunday.

Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia affected

In Alabama, the weather service in Birmingham said it had confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down overnight in Hale County. Storms there and elsewhere in the state destroyed or damaged a handful of mobile homes, downed trees, and toppled power lines, but no injuries were immediately reported. Extensive damage to downtown roofs and buildings was reported in the northern city of Tuscumbia, with authorities asking people to avoid the area, according to WAFF-TV and other local media.

A state of emergency was declared for parts of Obion County, Tennessee, after a levee failed on Saturday, flooding the small community of Rives, home to around 300 people in the western part of the state. "There will be mandatory evacuations in effect for the residents in Rives due to the rising water, no electricity, and freezing temperatures creating a life-threatening situation," Mayor Steve Carr said in a statement Sunday.

In Atlanta, a person was killed when a large tree fell on a home early Sunday, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell.

Midwest, Northeast hit with snow storms, Polar Vortex on the way

Ice and snow made road travel treacherous in large swaths of Michigan, which remained under a winter weather advisory until Monday afternoon. Michigan State Police reported 114 crashes Sunday around the Detroit area since snow started falling Saturday.

"Fortunately, most were one-car spinouts and there were no serious injuries," Michigan State Police said on X. "A majority of them were caused by drivers just going too fast or following too close."

The Northern Plains faced low temperatures into the minus 30s F near the Canadian border.

Mark Framness, who lives in northeast Wisconsin, said it seems he’s needed to use the snow blower every few days this winter and recently put snow tires on his truck for the first time. The 58-year-old avid skier says it’s been fantastic for the slopes.

But with temperatures expected to dip to 4 degrees below zero on Sunday and dangerous wind chills, he’s adjusting his plans. He’s scrapped an outing with friends and is instead donning thick socks and sweaters around the house.

"I’m just going to stay inside," he said.

Meteorologists said the U.S. was about to get its 10th and coldest polar vortex stretching event this season, with the northern Rockies and northern Plains first in line. Weather forces in the Arctic are combining to push the chilly air that usually stays near the North Pole into the U.S. and Europe.

The National Weather Service warned of "life-threatening cold" in the northern Plains, with temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees (minus 34 Celsius) or lower on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Avalanche warnings were issued for numerous areas of the Rocky Mountains stretching from Colorado to Washington state, with the danger rated highest in Utah.

Conclusion

The recent bout of deadly winter weather has left many areas in the United States reeling, with multiple fatalities reported across several states. The severity of the weather has prompted declarations of emergency and evacuations in some areas, with more severe weather expected in the coming days.

FAQs

• How many deaths have been reported in the recent bout of deadly winter weather?
  At least nine people have died, including eight in Kentucky.
• Which states have been affected by the severe weather?
  Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
• What is the current situation in Kentucky?
  Hundreds of people have been stranded by flooding, and hundreds more have been rescued. The state has declared a disaster, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is coordinating relief efforts.
• What is the current weather forecast for the United States?
  The National Weather Service is warning of "life-threatening cold" in the northern Plains, with temperatures expected to drop to minus 30 degrees (minus 34 Celsius) or lower in some areas.