Over 110,000,000 Americans were alerted Sunday by flooding, mudslides, and strong winds. Winter weather in Kentucky and the South caused thousands to lose their power. Heavy rains caused serious flooding on Sunday morning in the Southern United States. Floodwaters rose rapidly and inundated some roads, prompting evacuations. Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of Kentucky and Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has said that flooding in his state had a massive impact. Andy Beshear told X on Sunday that there have been hundreds of water rescues and multiple deaths. Beshear said that “evacuations would continue today as long as the event continues.” “Please be careful if you have to travel.
According to Poweroutage.us, more than 300,000 Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi customers did not have electricity on Sunday. Beshear declared an emergency in anticipation of heavy rains, widespread flooding, and other severe weather conditions. He stated that the state would be in danger until Sunday morning.
Rain fell in parts of western Kentucky, northwestern Tennessee, and Clarksville (Tennessee, northwest of Nashville). Clarksville reported 7.6 inches.
Beshear stated that he had also written to President Donald Trump “requesting a declaration of disaster for Kentucky, based on severe weather conditions and the impacts in our State.” The federal government would then be able to release funds to assist with the response.
The Governor also stated that he had spoken to Homeland Security Secretary KristiNoem and the acting director of FEMA.
After severe flooding near Panbowl Lake in Jackson, (85 miles south of Lexington), a nursing home and a hospital were evacuated. Authorities from Simpson County reported water rescues.
The most rainfall was recorded along the border between Kentucky and Tennessee where 4 to 7 inches of rain fell. According to Macon County Emergency Medical Services in Tennessee, when the water began to rise in Macon County, (about 65 miles north of Nashville), over 50 residents were evacuated from a nursing home located in Macon County.
Joe Pitts has said in a statement that “alarming” flash flood scenes were seen in Clarksville after nearly four inches of rainfall. Pitts also stated that two inches more of rainfall is expected to fall throughout the day and on Sunday evening. The National Weather Service extended the flash flooding emergency for several counties of West Virginia and southwest Virginia until 8 am Sunday. The National Weather Service called it an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”
The local police have advised residents of Richlands, southwest Virginia’s Tazewell County to evacuate. On Saturday afternoon, the police department announced on Facebook that “multiple parts of the town are experiencing floods and the river will rise even higher.” Residents of areas that were previously flooded should leave the area immediately. “
Virginia’s Lt. Governor Winsome Earle said that National Air Guardsmen and Soldiers were deployed to help with the response. “Get higher ground, if needed. ” Governor Patrick Morrisey declared an emergency for ten counties in West Virginia. Blue Stone River, near Spanishburg, was experiencing severe flooding.
Rockslides and landslides are possible in areas where there has been heavy rain. Storms can also bring damaging winds and flash floods. Warnings could extend up to the Atlantic Coast as storms continue to move east.
Northeastern Snow and Ice
Snow began falling in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and New England on Saturday afternoon. Conditions are expected to worsen. As the system moves through the Northeast, snow may change to sleet and rain. When the weather changes, from snow to rain or sleet it can cause dangerous slushy conditions.
The snowfall in parts of New York, New England, and northern New York may be more than a foot. In Boston and Hartford, 3 to 6 inches of slushy, wet snow will fall before it is compacted by rain.
Wind Alerts Affect 86 Million People
There are high wind warnings in place for Sunday and Monday. This applies to over 86 million residents of 22 states. In the Northeast, gusts of up to 60 mph are possible through Sunday night.
Atlanta was alerted to a severe thunderstorm at 4:30 am Sunday. Wind gusts up to 71 mph were recorded in the Mercedes Benz Stadium. More than 215,000 Georgians lacked electricity as of Sunday morning.
