A relentless wave of torrential rain and deadly tornadoes battered parts of the South and Midwest again Saturday, worsening flood emergencies across Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Days of severe storms have left at least nine people dead, with widespread damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure.
The National Weather Service warned that 45 river sites across multiple states are expected to reach major flood stage, posing threats to critical infrastructure. In Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy was swept away on his way to school and a 74-year-old man was found dead in a submerged vehicle. Meanwhile, tornadoes have wiped out entire neighborhoods, killing at least seven people, with more twisters possible over the weekend.
Shipping and commerce are under strain as flooding disrupts major cargo hubs in Louisville and Memphis, causing potential supply chain delays. Louisville’s mayor reported a five-foot rise in the Ohio River within 24 hours, calling it one of the city’s top 10 flood events in history.
States like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee remain under flash flood emergencies. Rural Kentucky faces acute danger from runoff flooding, prompting mandatory evacuations in towns like Falmouth, which recalls devastating floods from three decades ago. Arkansas also saw a railroad bridge washed out in Mammoth Spring, derailing several cars with no injuries reported.
Meteorologists blame the extreme conditions on a volatile combination of warm air, moisture from the Gulf, and strong wind shear. Reports of tornadoes in Missouri and Arkansas include debris being flung nearly 25,000 feet into the air. In Tennessee, neighborhoods like Selmer have been completely destroyed, with tornado winds reaching up to 160 mph.
As storms rage on, many residents seek refuge in shelters, bracing for yet another round of extreme weather.
Source: Swifteradio.com
