Severe Flooding in US Leaves Nine Dead

Nine people have died as severe flooding and torrential rains hit the southeastern US.

Hundreds of people were rescued from floodwaters, with many trapped in cars across Kentucky and Georgia.

Governor Beshear requests federal disaster relief as Kentucky faces widespread flooding and road closures.

At least nine people have died over the weekend as torrential rains swept through parts of the southeastern US, flooding roads and homes.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported that eight people had died in his state and warned during a Sunday news conference that the death toll could rise. Hundreds of people stranded in floodwaters, many trapped in their cars, were rescued. Beshear urged residents to “stay off the roads right now and stay alive.”

In Georgia, the ninth death was reported when a man was killed in his bed after an uprooted tree crashed into his home.

States including Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina were all under some form of storm-related alert. These areas had already suffered significant damage in September from Hurricane Helene.

As of Sunday night, more than half a million households across the eight states were without power, according to poweroutage.us.

Most of the fatalities and damage occurred in Kentucky, where a mother and her seven-year-old child, as well as a 73-year-old man, were among the victims.

Some parts of Kentucky saw up to 6 inches (15 cm) of rain, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), resulting in widespread flooding. The rapid rainfall caused rivers to rise quickly, trapping vehicles in deep water, as seen in online photos.

Governor Beshear reported more than 300 road closures in the state and requested an emergency disaster declaration and federal funds from the White House, which was approved by President Donald Trump on Sunday. This authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts.

Officials have warned that the worst of the flooding may still be ahead. “The rivers are still going to rise,” said Eric Gibson, director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. NWS forecaster Bob Oravec added, “The effects will continue for a while, with swollen streams and ongoing flooding.”

In Obion County, Tennessee, heavy rains caused a levee breach, leading to “rapid onset flooding,” according to the local NWS account on X. “If you are in the area, GET TO HIGH GROUND NOW! This is a LIFE-THREATENING situation,” the post urged.

The town of Rives, along the Obion River, was severely flooded after the levee broke. Footage showed brown water rushing over rocks and past trees, while rescue workers navigated flooded homes in boats.

Steve Carr, the mayor of Obion County, declared a state of emergency on Facebook and announced mandatory evacuations in Rives due to “rising water, no electricity, and freezing temperatures creating a life-threatening situation.” The town of Rives, located northeast of Memphis, has a population of around 300.

On Saturday, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in 10 counties, adding three more counties to the list on Sunday.

“Please continue to be cautious,” Morrisey urged on X.

Kristi Noem, head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, said she had been in contact with Governors Beshear and Morrisey and had left voicemails for Governors Bill Lee of Tennessee and Kay Ivey of Alabama.

“While emergency management is best led by local authorities, we have reinforced that DHS is ready to provide immediate resources and support,” Noem stated.

Meteorologists have also warned that a polar vortex is expected to move toward the northern Rocky Mountains and northern Plains early this week.

In Colorado, temperatures may plummet to 14°F (-10°C), and the city of Denver has reportedly opened shelters for the homeless in response.

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at ekohotblog@gmail.com. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611