At Least Nine Lives Lost in Southeastern US Floods

Torrential rains over the weekend resulted in the deaths of at least nine individuals across southeastern states, with Kentucky bearing the brunt of the disaster. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities issue storm-related alerts.

At least nine people have tragically lost their lives due to severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall across the southeastern United States this past weekend. Kentucky was particularly hard hit, with Governor Andy Beshear announcing that eight fatalities were reported in his state and warning that the death toll could escalate. The ninth victim was a man in Georgia, who was killed when an uprooted tree fell onto his home while he was in bed.

Officials reported significant challenges, as hundreds of individuals trapped in floodwaters, primarily in their vehicles, were rescued throughout Kentucky and other affected states including Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, and North Carolina, all of which were under various storm alerts. Multiple states had already encountered extensive devastation from Hurricane Helene in September. As of Sunday night, data from poweroutage.us indicated that over half a million households across these regions were without electricity.

Governor Beshear shared troubling news on social media, revealing that more than 300 road closures were in effect. Widespread flooding was reported in many areas, with the National Weather Service noting that certain regions in Kentucky received as much as six inches (15 cm) of rain. Among those confirmed dead were a mother and her seven-year-old child, alongside a 73-year-old man.

Efforts to obtain federal aid were announced as Governor Beshear formally requested an emergency disaster declaration from the White House. President Donald Trump approved this request, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts, despite his previous inclination to abolish the agency. Rescuers continue to warn that the most dangerous part of the flooding might not be over yet, as river levels are expected to rise further in the coming days.

Eric Gibson, director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "The rivers are still going to rise." Local forecaster Bob Oravec reiterated concerns about persistent swollen streams and ongoing flooding risks. In Tennessee’s Obion County, a broken levee exacerbated the situation, prompting urgent evacuation orders in the town of Rives, following the suggestion that residents seek higher ground immediately.

With Rives being home to roughly 300 people, the local mayor declared a state of emergency due to rising waters, lack of electricity, and freezing temperatures. West Virginia's Governor Patrick Morrisey also declared a state of emergency, expanding it over the weekend to include several counties.

Amid these conditions, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, announced her department's readiness to assist governors in the affected states, emphasizing that emergency management efforts should be led at the local level.

As severe weather continues to plague the area, meteorologists predict that a polar vortex may bring significant temperature drops to the northern regions this week, with reports of shelters being opened for the homeless in Colorado as temperatures could plummet to as low as 14°F (-10°C).