“Deadly Floods Slam Kentucky, Tennessee & Virginia as Storm Unleashes Chaos!”
A powerful storm is causing catastrophic flooding across the eastern United States this weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns.
Millions remain under flood warnings as heavy rain pounds Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, leading to rivers and streams surging to dangerous levels. The NWS predicts moderate to major flooding early in the week.
Severe storms and tornado threats loom:
- AccuWeather expert Guy Pearson warns of potential multiple tornadoes from Saturday’s storms.
- A tornado watch was issued for 3.5 million people across Louisiana and Tennessee.
- Tornado warnings were activated in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Widespread Flooding & Rising Rivers
- Virginia’s Russell and Wise counties saw water rescues as floodwaters surged.
- Russell Fork River in Haysi, Virginia rose 15 feet in just eight hours.
- More rain is expected into early Sunday.
📹 Shocking videos show streets and homes underwater in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, as compiled by The Tennessean.
Authorities urge residents to stay alert as the storm moves eastward, threatening the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and Appalachians.
Deadly Floods Worsen Across Eastern U.S. as Rivers Surge
The James River in Richmond is rapidly rising and is expected to reach moderate flood stage by Monday, while the Cumberland River in Baxter, Kentucky, and the Kentucky River near Ravenna surged nearly 20 feet on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Kentucky & Tennessee Face ‘Life-Threatening’ Floods
- Northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky are at highest risk for extreme flooding due to excessive rainfall.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, warning residents:
“The amount of rain coming down will make it hard to drive. Flash flooding can create dangerous conditions.”
Massive Flash Flood Warnings & Water Rescues
- A 500-mile stretch of flash flood warnings spans from eastern Arkansas to eastern Kentucky.
- Water rescues are underway in south-central Kentucky, where up to 6 inches of rain is expected.
- Western Kentucky counties (Carlisle, Graves, Hickman, Marshall) remain under a “considerable threat” of flooding.
- Rockslides & Mudslides:
- A rockslide blocked I-69 in Kentucky between Dawson Springs and Princeton.
- Mudslides reported in Tennessee due to loosened soil from heavy rains.
Severe Weather Threat Expands
Flash flooding remains a danger from northeastern Texas to southern West Virginia, western North Carolina, and northern and central Georgia.
The Lower Mississippi Valley, the largest floodplain in the U.S., covering 24 million acres, is also bracing for severe weather.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin warned residents on social media site X:
Torrential Rainfall Threatens Widespread Flooding Across Multiple States
How much rain is expected?
- 2 to 4 inches of rain is forecast through Sunday morning from northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas to southern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, and much of West Virginia.
- Tennessee and Kentucky could see 4 to 8 inches, with some areas nearing 20 inches when combined with earlier rainfall.
- AccuWeather warns of moderate to major flooding along secondary rivers in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Storm to Exit by Sunday Evening
- The flood risk will decrease as a cold front moves in, pushing storms eastward.
- Flash flooding remains possible from northern and central Florida to Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey through Sunday afternoon.
- By Sunday evening, storms should weaken as they move into the Atlantic.
🚨 Stay alert and monitor weather updates as flooding risks remain high!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Life-threatening’ floods hit Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia as powerful storm brings downpours