Rising waters still pose a serious danger to Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky. Getty Images
At least 22 people lost their lives after strong storms and flooding swept through several Midwestern and Southern states over the weekend. The storms brought heavy rain, tornadoes, and fast-rising floodwaters, catching many by surprise.
Tennessee saw the most deaths, including children and older adults. Three people died in Missouri and three others in Kentucky. Indiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas also reported deaths caused by the severe weather.
The National Weather Service warned that many rivers could still overflow. Even though the rainfall is slowing down, officials said flooding could continue for days. Nearly nine million people stayed under flood watch on Monday.
In Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy drowned while walking to his school bus. Search teams found his body two hours later. In Missouri, 16-year-old volunteer firefighter Chevy Gall died in a car crash. He was heading out to help others stuck in the storm. His fire chief said, "Chevy died while answering the call to help others."
In Little Rock, Arkansas, a five-year-old boy died when a tree crashed into his home. The storm destroyed the house. In Georgia, a father and his adult son died while playing golf. A tree fell onto their golf cart during the storm. A fundraiser described their final moments as "a special time between father and son that became their last."
Image: REUTERS
In Kentucky’s capital, Frankfort, swollen rivers forced people to evacuate. Some homes sat under several feet of water. Wendy Quire, a local resident, said, “As long as I’ve been alive—and I’m 52—this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. The rain just won’t stop.”
Tornadoes hit areas like Jeffersontown, Kentucky, tearing apart buildings and throwing debris across neighborhoods. People spent hours cleaning up the damage. Cars were flipped, and homes left in ruins.
The storm moved toward the East Coast on Monday. Heavy rain continued to fall in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The National Weather Service warned that while the rain may ease soon, some areas could stay underwater for a long time.
In Augusta, Georgia, organizers evacuated the Masters Golf Tournament for safety reasons. In Kentucky, the Buffalo Trace Distillery had to close due to flooding. The company plans to reopen on Thursday.
This has been a rough few months for the Midwest and South. In March, tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms already killed 40 people and destroyed homes, farms, and businesses.
People are now bracing for more trouble. Some communities have just started recovery, while others still face rising water levels. Officials urged everyone to stay alert and avoid flooded roads.
