Extreme weather causes widespread flooding across multiple U.S. states 

A wave of extreme weather has devastated several midwest and southern U.S. states, bringing severe flooding, fatalities, and substantial property damage. The regions most impacted by the storms include Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, and Mississippi. 

At least 22 people have died as a result of the severe weather, most of them, 10, in Tennessee. The most recent include a 57-year-old O'Fallon, Missouri, man whose car entered floodwaters and two in the Jasper and Pontotoc counties in Mississippi. 

The situation is being compounded by the ongoing threat of additional storms and the continued rise of river levels. As many as 32 million Americans were under a flood watch on Monday, the US media reported. 

In Kentucky, the Kentucky River reached a crest of 48.27 feet on April 7, 17 feet above its normal flood stage, submerging the Frankfort area and beyond. The floods claimed two lives, including a 9-year-old boy in Frankfort and a woman in Nelson County. As a result, nearly 540 roadways in western Kentucky were closed, and approximately 1,100 residents were left without water services. The Kentucky River’s swollen banks continue to pose a threat to local communities as the floodwaters have yet to recede. 

Tennessee experienced significant flooding, leading to mandatory evacuations in parts of Dyer County. Emergency responders, including the National Guard and state police, were quickly deployed to assist local residents. As swollen rivers and saturated ground conditions continue to threaten homes and infrastructure, the situation remains perilous for many. 

In Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, and Mississippi, the storms caused additional fatalities and widespread damage. The relentless rainfall and flooding wreaked havoc across these states, leaving behind devastated communities and threatening further destruction as rivers continue to rise.  

In response to the widespread devastation, emergency disaster declarations have been approved for Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. This has enabled FEMA to provide much-needed assistance, including financial aid, rescue operations, and temporary shelters. Despite the storms subsiding, rivers remain dangerously high, and the threat of additional flooding persists. 

As recovery efforts begin, communities across the region are bracing for the long-term challenges of rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and assisting those who have lost everything to this devastating weather event.