Catastrophic flooding and Tornadoes Devastate Central United States Amid Unyielding Storm System
Severe storms and days of unrelenting rainfall have led to catastrophic flooding throughout the Central U.S. this weekend, overwhelming communities already battered by tornadoes and earlier storms. States like Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky are facing significant destruction, with at least 16 confirmed fatalities since Wednesday.In a heartbreaking incident, a 9-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters in Franklin County, Kentucky, on his way to the school bus. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a 5-year-old lost their life as severe storms battered their home.
The Storm Prediction Center estimates over 41 million Americans face the threat of severe weather Saturday, stretching from the Ohio River Valley to southeast Texas. Saturday marks the third consecutive day of a Level 4 (maximum) flood risk across areas including the Mississippi Valley—an unprecedented occurrence outside hurricane season.Meteorologists expect the heaviest rain and most life-threatening flash floods to occur Saturday afternoon and evening across central and eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee. As intense storms repeatedly pass over the same regions, high rainfall rates are pushing local flood emergencies to the brink.Tens of thousands of power outages and more than 6,000 delayed flights plagued the nation on Saturday. Meanwhile, 36 million people remain under flood watches, and over two dozen flash flood warnings have been issued from northeast Texas to southern Illinois. The National Weather Service has declared flash flood emergencies in multiple areas, signifying imminent, life-threatening flooding.This extreme situation is due to a "stuck" weather pattern that has prevented storm systems from moving out of the region, leading to days of rainfall accumulation. The pattern is expected to shift on Sunday, redirecting the storms eastward and offering relief to parts of the Mississippi Valley.Floodwaters Inundate Cities, Prompting Widespread Rescues
West Plains, Missouri, saw emergency crews perform at least six water rescues Friday, with assistance from numerous surrounding fire departments. A local woman was hospitalized after being struck by lightning, according to emergency officials.The Missouri State Highway Patrol warned drivers to stay off roads at night, stressing that water-covered paths can become invisible and deadly after dark. Troopers have already rescued stranded motorists who underestimated the conditions.Footage from Howell County, Missouri, shows torrents of water rushing across highways, with emergency officials labeling them as just one of many dangerous low-water crossings. In Van Buren, Missouri, 15 water rescues occurred after the city was pummeled by 3 inches of rain in just a few hours.Further downstream, the Black River near Poplar Bluff is expected to hit major flood stage this weekend. The Army Corps of Engineers deployed over 1,500 sandbags to reinforce local levees.Communities from northeastern Texas to Kentucky are bracing for historic flooding, exacerbated by already saturated ground from recent tornadoes. In Hardy, Arkansas, the Spring River has reached unprecedented levels, flooding homes and requiring overnight rescues. Sharp County’s sheriff even joined rescue efforts, personally saving three dogs. Hardy Mayor Ethan Barnes reported that over half the town's population will be impacted.Arkansas Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary stated at least 12 people have been injured so far across the state. In Mammoth Spring, floodwaters washed out a bridge, derailing a train and submerging multiple cars. BNSF Railway crews are coordinating recovery efforts amid nonstop rain.As of Saturday night, more than 83,000 Arkansas homes and businesses were without power. Two flash flood emergencies remained in effect across different parts of the state.In response to the crisis, President Donald Trump approved Arkansas’ request for federal assistance on Saturday, according to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Kentucky Hit Hard as Waters Rise to Historic Levels
In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for the western region of the state, which faced 390 road closures Saturday due to floods, mudslides, and rockslides. In Jessamine County, residents used boats to navigate floodwaters as buildings became submerged.Louisville's Ohio River has risen over five feet in just 24 hours and is expected to keep rising for several days, Mayor Craig Greenberg said. Drone footage from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, shows widespread destruction, with cars, buildings, and roads partially underwater. Local business owner Tony Kirves said his studio flooded despite sandbagging and water pumps.Between Thursday night and Friday, Hopkinsville received 5 to 8 inches of rain. In Van Lear, Kentucky, emergency crews rescued six residents from homes surrounded by water, while first responders went door to door checking on people in flood-inundated areas.Kentucky is no stranger to extreme weather—after a deadly winter storm in February and a major flood event in 2021, this latest disaster adds to the state’s list of weather emergencies.Tornado Outbreak Enters 10th Day as Southern States Brace for More
A new wave of tornadoes is hitting the region, marking the tenth straight day with confirmed tornado activity in the U.S. Saturday’s threat zone covers over 10 million people from Nashville to Houston, with Memphis, Jackson, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Lufkin included. Tornadoes reaching EF2 strength (winds above 111 mph) are likely.Storms are also bringing damaging wind gusts and golf ball-sized hail, especially in hard-hit areas like eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee.Selmer, Tennessee, recently endured a powerful tornado that ripped through a new apartment complex. Residents sought shelter in laundry rooms as debris flew and cars were smashed. Tennessee’s death toll has climbed to ten, and over 56,000 people in the state remain without power.In Missouri, a tornado devastated Pilot Grove on Wednesday, destroying homes and vehicles. In Nevada, Missouri, a former motel housing students from the Missouri Welding Institute was significantly damaged. While no injuries were reported, the tornado shattered windows and flipped cars.In northeast Texas, Wood County reported at least one injury and home damage caused by fallen trees after tornadoes touched down Friday.Since Wednesday, the National Weather Service has confirmed at least 31 tornadoes across eight states, including three classified as EF3. Ongoing surveys are delayed by continued hazardous weather conditions.As the storms continue eastward into the weekend, the threat of more severe weather remains high across the southeastern U.S., including Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.
Severe storms and days of unrelenting rainfall have led to catastrophic flooding throughout the Central U.S. this weekend, overwhelming communities already battered by tornadoes and earlier storms. States like Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky are facing significant destruction, with at least 16 confirmed fatalities since Wednesday.In a heartbreaking incident, a 9-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters in Franklin County, Kentucky, on his way to the school bus. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a 5-year-old lost their life as severe storms battered their home.
The Storm Prediction Center estimates over 41 million Americans face the threat of severe weather Saturday, stretching from the Ohio River Valley to southeast Texas. Saturday marks the third consecutive day of a Level 4 (maximum) flood risk across areas including the Mississippi Valley—an unprecedented occurrence outside hurricane season.Meteorologists expect the heaviest rain and most life-threatening flash floods to occur Saturday afternoon and evening across central and eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee. As intense storms repeatedly pass over the same regions, high rainfall rates are pushing local flood emergencies to the brink.Tens of thousands of power outages and more than 6,000 delayed flights plagued the nation on Saturday. Meanwhile, 36 million people remain under flood watches, and over two dozen flash flood warnings have been issued from northeast Texas to southern Illinois. The National Weather Service has declared flash flood emergencies in multiple areas, signifying imminent, life-threatening flooding.This extreme situation is due to a "stuck" weather pattern that has prevented storm systems from moving out of the region, leading to days of rainfall accumulation. The pattern is expected to shift on Sunday, redirecting the storms eastward and offering relief to parts of the Mississippi Valley.Floodwaters Inundate Cities, Prompting Widespread RescuesWest Plains, Missouri, saw emergency crews perform at least six water rescues Friday, with assistance from numerous surrounding fire departments. A local woman was hospitalized after being struck by lightning, according to emergency officials.The Missouri State Highway Patrol warned drivers to stay off roads at night, stressing that water-covered paths can become invisible and deadly after dark. Troopers have already rescued stranded motorists who underestimated the conditions.Footage from Howell County, Missouri, shows torrents of water rushing across highways, with emergency officials labeling them as just one of many dangerous low-water crossings. In Van Buren, Missouri, 15 water rescues occurred after the city was pummeled by 3 inches of rain in just a few hours.Further downstream, the Black River near Poplar Bluff is expected to hit major flood stage this weekend. The Army Corps of Engineers deployed over 1,500 sandbags to reinforce local levees.Communities from northeastern Texas to Kentucky are bracing for historic flooding, exacerbated by already saturated ground from recent tornadoes. In Hardy, Arkansas, the Spring River has reached unprecedented levels, flooding homes and requiring overnight rescues. Sharp County’s sheriff even joined rescue efforts, personally saving three dogs. Hardy Mayor Ethan Barnes reported that over half the town's population will be impacted.Arkansas Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary stated at least 12 people have been injured so far across the state. In Mammoth Spring, floodwaters washed out a bridge, derailing a train and submerging multiple cars. BNSF Railway crews are coordinating recovery efforts amid nonstop rain.As of Saturday night, more than 83,000 Arkansas homes and businesses were without power. Two flash flood emergencies remained in effect across different parts of the state.In response to the crisis, President Donald Trump approved Arkansas’ request for federal assistance on Saturday, according to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Kentucky Hit Hard as Waters Rise to Historic Levels
In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for the western region of the state, which faced 390 road closures Saturday due to floods, mudslides, and rockslides. In Jessamine County, residents used boats to navigate floodwaters as buildings became submerged.Louisville's Ohio River has risen over five feet in just 24 hours and is expected to keep rising for several days, Mayor Craig Greenberg said. Drone footage from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, shows widespread destruction, with cars, buildings, and roads partially underwater. Local business owner Tony Kirves said his studio flooded despite sandbagging and water pumps.Between Thursday night and Friday, Hopkinsville received 5 to 8 inches of rain. In Van Lear, Kentucky, emergency crews rescued six residents from homes surrounded by water, while first responders went door to door checking on people in flood-inundated areas.Kentucky is no stranger to extreme weather—after a deadly winter storm in February and a major flood event in 2021, this latest disaster adds to the state’s list of weather emergencies.Tornado Outbreak Enters 10th Day as Southern States Brace for More
A new wave of tornadoes is hitting the region, marking the tenth straight day with confirmed tornado activity in the U.S. Saturday’s threat zone covers over 10 million people from Nashville to Houston, with Memphis, Jackson, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Lufkin included. Tornadoes reaching EF2 strength (winds above 111 mph) are likely.Storms are also bringing damaging wind gusts and golf ball-sized hail, especially in hard-hit areas like eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee.Selmer, Tennessee, recently endured a powerful tornado that ripped through a new apartment complex. Residents sought shelter in laundry rooms as debris flew and cars were smashed. Tennessee’s death toll has climbed to ten, and over 56,000 people in the state remain without power.In Missouri, a tornado devastated Pilot Grove on Wednesday, destroying homes and vehicles. In Nevada, Missouri, a former motel housing students from the Missouri Welding Institute was significantly damaged. While no injuries were reported, the tornado shattered windows and flipped cars.In northeast Texas, Wood County reported at least one injury and home damage caused by fallen trees after tornadoes touched down Friday.Since Wednesday, the National Weather Service has confirmed at least 31 tornadoes across eight states, including three classified as EF3. Ongoing surveys are delayed by continued hazardous weather conditions.As the storms continue eastward into the weekend, the threat of more severe weather remains high across the southeastern U.S., including Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.
