An EF-1 tornado struck Hale and Perry counties in Alabama early Sunday morning, part of a severe weather event that has claimed at least nine lives. The death toll is expected to rise as search-and-rescue operations continue. Alongside Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas remain under flood warnings, exacerbating the already dire situation.
In Tennessee, a levee breach in Rives on Saturday afternoon led to extensive flooding in nearby neighborhoods. President Donald Trump has approved disaster relief funding to assist the affected regions, as the situation grows increasingly critical. Meanwhile, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms, which have resulted in the evacuation of the city of Beattyville, home to approximately 2,150 residents.
The ferocity of the storms extended beyond Alabama and Tennessee, with four tornadoes reported in northeast Mississippi on Saturday night. Wind gusts threaten to reach up to 60 mph, creating "hazardous whiteout conditions" across some areas. A flood warning remains in effect for Lexington, Kentucky, until 4:30 p.m. Monday, as the state grapples with severe flooding that has necessitated over 1,000 rescues.
"The effects will continue for a while, a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding going on," stated Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service.
The severe weather has left nearly 40,000 residents without power in Kentucky alone. Additionally, 9,800 service connections lack water, and 26,000 are under a boil-water advisory, compounding the challenges faced by communities already grappling with the aftermath of the storms.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear described the situation as "one of the most serious weather events we’ve dealt with in at least a decade."
The harsh conditions are not confined to the southern states. Dangerously cold wind chills are forecasted for the Dakotas and Minnesota, with temperatures plummeting to between minus 40 and minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy snowfall is also anticipated in parts of New England and northern New York, adding to the widespread disruption caused by this severe weather system.
Local authorities across the affected areas continue to urge residents to exercise caution and prioritize safety.
"Stay home if you can," advised the Simpson County Office of Emergency Management in Kentucky.
In urban centers like Atlanta, first responders face new challenges posed by storm damage.
Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell noted an "extremely large tree" obstructing pathways, indicative of the widespread devastation caused by high winds and saturated ground.
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