At Least 9 Fatalities in Southeast Flooding as Storms Sweep Across the Nation

On February 16, severe winter conditions impacted large areas across the United States, with heavy rainfall causing flooding in Kentucky and resulting in at least nine fatalities in the Southeast. Tornado watches were issued for segments of Florida and Georgia, whereas the Northern Plains faced drastic cold temperatures.

In Hart County, Kentucky, two of the casualties included a mother and her 7-year-old child, whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters near Interstate 65, as reported by a county official to WBKO-TV. Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts confirmed they lost their lives on Saturday evening in the Bonnieville area.

Another victim was a 73-year-old man found deceased in floodwaters in Clay County, southeastern Kentucky, as detailed by County Emergency Management Deputy Director Revelle Berry.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on February 16 that President Donald Trump approved his request for disaster relief funding.

According to Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster from the National Weather Service, up to six inches of rain fell across parts of Kentucky and Tennessee over the weekend.

“The impacts will persist for a while, causing swollen streams and ongoing flooding,” Oravec stated on Sunday. “Flooding tends to last much longer than the precipitation itself.”

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During the early hours of Sunday, tornado watches were active in parts of Georgia and Florida as intense storms moved through, reported the National Weather Service.

A fourth fatality was confirmed in Atlanta, where an “extremely large tree” collapsed onto a house early Sunday morning, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell. Firefighters responded to the scene just before 5 a.m. following emergency calls, he said.

The Northern Plains near the Canadian border are forecast to experience extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees F. Wind chills are anticipated to reach as low as minus 40 degrees F in the Dakotas and minus 50 degrees F in Minnesota.

Heavy snowfall is expected in parts of New England and northern New York, with wind gusts potentially hitting 60 mph, leading to “hazardous whiteout conditions,” as stated by the National Weather Service.

Kentucky Experiences Severe Flooding

Floodwaters submerged vehicles and buildings in Kentucky, with mudslides blocking roads in Virginia late Saturday into Sunday morning. These states, in addition to Tennessee and Arkansas, were under flood warnings, and the National Weather Service advised residents to steer clear of roadways.

By early Sunday morning, heavy rain in Kentucky gave way to snow.

Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency in Kentucky ahead of the storms, anticipating flash floods continuing into Sunday.

He mentioned that evacuations for affected residents would persist on Sunday and urged caution for those needing to travel.

The Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson was in the process of transferring patients to two nearby hospitals after temporarily closing its emergency department. The hospital plans to evaluate weather conditions Sunday morning before deciding on reopening safely. The National Weather Service reported that the north fork of the Kentucky River was expected to rise nearly 14 feet above flood stage by Sunday afternoon.

Photos shared on social media by authorities and residents depicted submerged vehicles and structures across south-central and eastern Kentucky. Mudslides blocked several roads in Buchanan County, Virginia, according to the sheriff’s office.

In a Facebook post, the Simpson County Office of Emergency Management in Kentucky outlined efforts to help residents stranded in numerous vehicles halted by the rising floodwaters.

“Stay home if possible,” they advised in the post.

Frigid Temperatures Sweep the North

In the northern region, heavy snowfall is anticipated to impact much of New England before transitioning to sleet.

Per Oravec’s remarks on Sunday, snowfall was relatively light in the region due to the mix of freezing rain and sleet.

The previous day, snow and arctic temperatures blanketed a vast area of the Midwest and Upper Plains. Road conditions in eastern Nebraska, northern Iowa, and most of Wisconsin were snowy, prompting winter weather advisories for portions of these areas, as well as Michigan. Up to four inches of snow are predicted in Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and a majority of Michigan by Sunday night.

Meteorologists reported that the United States is about to experience its 10th and coldest polar vortex stretching event this season, with the northern Plains and northern Rockies being the first areas affected. Arctic weather patterns are converging to push cold air typically localized near the North Pole into various regions across Europe and the United States.

With temperatures expected to fall as low as 14 degrees F in Denver this weekend, city officials have activated shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.