At least 10 fatalities reported in southeast US floods and storms

Heavy rainfall leads to widespread flooding, rescues, and devastating loss of life.

At least ten people have lost their lives due to intense rainfall and flooding in the southeastern United States over the weekend. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky confirmed the majority of the casualties, with nine deaths occurring in the state following an emergency disaster declaration. Around 1,000 individuals stranded in flooded areas have undergone rescue operations.

Kentucky and several neighboring states, including Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, faced storm-related alerts as forecasts indicated the possibility of drier yet colder conditions ahead, including snow and ice, as per meteorologist John Hutchinson. In Georgia, one fatality occurred when an uprooted tree crashed into a man's home, striking him while he slept.

This recent bout of severe weather follows significant damage in the affected regions caused by Hurricane Helene in September. Reports suggest hundreds of thousands of residents were left without power during the floods, although this number reduced to tens of thousands by early Monday. Some regions experienced up to 6 inches (15 cm) of rainfall, prompting swift river level rises and causing vehicles to become stranded.

Among the deceased in Kentucky were a mother and her seven-year-old son, as well as a 73-year-old man. Local residents like Danny Laferty expressed fears of losing everything again, as they still recover from past floods. In a bid to aid affected areas, Governor Beshear has reached out to the White House requesting federal disaster assistance.

In Tennessee, heavy rains triggered a levee breach, leading to urgent evacuations in the small town of Rives, where swift floodwaters surged due to the compromised barrier. State emergency declarations were also issued in West Virginia where multiple counties are at risk. Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security, emphasized readiness to support local authorities amid the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, the same weather system causing devastation in the US is also bringing heavy snowfall to Canada, with warnings of record-breaking cold and dangerous wind chills expected in the central US this week.