At Least 10 Lives Lost as Severe Flooding Hits Southeastern US

The devastating weather has resulted in emergency declarations, numerous rescues, and escalating concerns over more adverse conditions ahead.

At least 10 fatalities have been reported following extreme rainfall over the weekend in the southeastern United States, prompting grave concerns and emergency declarations across multiple states. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that nine victims lost their lives in Kentucky alone, where roughly 1,000 residents were rescued from rising floodwaters.

The intense downpours submerged roads and homes, while forecasters warn the same areas might now experience colder conditions, including the potential for snow and ice. Tragedy also struck Georgia, where a man was killed when a fallen tree crashed into his home during the storms.

Several southern states such as Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina also found themselves under storm alerts after previously suffering damage from Hurricane Helene. Reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of homes lost power due to the severe weather, with numbers beginning to stabilize on Monday morning, according to Poweroutage.us.

The National Weather Service reported some Kentucky regions received up to 6 inches (15 cm) of rain, leading to flash flooding and blocked roadways. Among those casualties in Kentucky were a mother and her seven-year-old son, alongside a 73-year-old man. Local residents expressed their anxieties about the flooding, particularly in Knott County, where many are still recovering from past disasters.

Governor Beshear wrote to the federal government seeking an emergency disaster declaration, which was swiftly signed by President Donald Trump, enabling FEMA to oversee vital relief efforts.

In Obion County, Tennessee, heavy rainfall caused a levee breach leading to rapid flooding, particularly affecting the small town of Rives. Local officials declared a state of emergency, urging mandatory evacuations. West Virginia's governor also declared an emergency in several counties due to the severe flooding.

Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security, reached out to governors in the impacted states to offer immediate resources and support as local officials manage the disaster. While the storm system dissipates within the U.S., it is now bringing heavy snow to parts of Canada, with arctic air predicted to generate dangerously low temperatures across the central states later this week.