At least 1 dead as storm batters eastern US with life-threatening flooding and prompts evacuations in Kentucky and Virginia
A powerful storm is wreaking havoc across the eastern half of the U.S., bringing deadly flooding, severe storms, and hazardous travel conditions. At least one person has died due to the extreme weather.
In Kentucky, a 73-year-old man was swept away by floodwaters after exiting his car in the Horse Creek area of Manchester on Saturday night, according to the Clay County Coroner’s Office.
Flash flood emergencies and warnings were issued for hundreds of thousands of residents across West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with Virginia alone placing 413,000 people under a flood threat capable of causing “considerable damage.”
Tornado warnings were issued across Mississippi, West Tennessee, and Southeast Arkansas on Saturday evening, while a large tornado watch remained in effect for much of Mississippi and Alabama overnight.
As of Saturday evening, over 19,000 homes and businesses in Virginia were without power, with more than 16,000 also affected across Kentucky and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.
Heavy rainfall has drenched parts of Virginia, prompting flash flood reports in the southwest region, according to Governor Glenn Youngkin. Some areas have already received 1.5 to 3 inches of rain, with up to 1.5 inches more expected. Youngkin urged residents to stay alert, avoid flooded areas, and call for help if needed.
Rescue operations are in full force, with first responders, law enforcement, and the Virginia National Guard working to ensure public safety.
In Kentucky, extensive flooding forced road closures and evacuations. A landslide shut down Kentucky Route 160 in Knott County, while homes in Perry County were evacuated. In Hardin County, floodwaters reached historic levels. In the city of Jackson, severe flooding overwhelmed Panbowl Lake, forcing the evacuation of critical facilities, including a hospital and nursing home.
Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Friday in preparation for the storm. He urged residents to remain vigilant, keep weather alerts on, and be ready to seek higher ground if necessary. Shelters have been set up for displaced residents, and Kentucky State Police are conducting wellness checks.
By Saturday afternoon, streets in Kentucky had turned into lakes, and the water levels were expected to rise further into the evening. Some areas had already recorded 2 to 4 inches of rainfall.
In Bowling Green, storm sewers reached their maximum capacity, prompting officials to advise against unnecessary travel. In Simpson County, floodwaters surged through roads, forcing stalled vehicles out of the water. Authorities placed barricades and road closure signs while urging residents to stay home.
Manchester police responded to numerous water rescues, while Adair County reported dozens of flooded roads. State officials warned of additional hazards, including downed trees and rockslides.
Kentucky Residents Fear Repeat of 2022 Flooding
For many Kentucky residents, the flooding brings back painful memories of the catastrophic 2022 floods that left 43 people dead and devastated entire communities.
Danny Laferty, a Knott County resident still rebuilding his home after the 2022 disaster, expressed deep anxiety. “It was awful, terrible. We had mud six inches deep in here,” he recalled. “That’s what makes me so nervous.”
Though accustomed to flooding, Laferty believes recent events have been unusually severe. “I don’t understand floods getting this high,” he said.
Major Flash Flood Event Unfolding
The storm, which earlier caused severe flooding in California, is now battering the East with torrential rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and even snow.
Heavy rainfall remains the storm’s biggest threat, with over 1,200 miles from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast at risk of flooding. Some areas are expected to receive more than 2 inches of rain, with certain locations seeing up to half a foot.
The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, warned of a “major, potentially historic flash flood event” unfolding on Saturday, with life-threatening conditions anticipated in northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, high-risk flood warnings are rare—issued on fewer than 4% of days annually—but they account for over 80% of flood-related damage and 40% of flood-related deaths.
With the storm strengthening Saturday night, conditions are expected to worsen before improving Monday. The saturated ground from recent storms increases the flood risk, as the region is unable to absorb additional rainfall.
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Severe thunderstorms are also developing south of the heaviest rainfall, with the highest risk covering Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. Damaging winds and tornadoes are likely, particularly in Mississippi, where strong EF2 or higher tornadoes could form.
EF2 tornadoes, with wind speeds of 111-135 mph, can rip roofs from homes and shift them off their foundations.
Some of the strongest storms are expected to strike overnight, a particularly dangerous scenario as nighttime tornadoes are twice as deadly as daytime ones. Just last week, a nighttime tornado killed two people in Tennessee.
Severe storms will persist into Sunday, bringing damaging winds from Florida to the Mid-Atlantic.
Snow and Ice Threat
Meanwhile, on the colder northern side of the storm, snow and ice are causing additional hazards. The Great Lakes and Northeast are seeing heavy snowfall, with an icy mix affecting parts of the Ohio Valley.
By Saturday afternoon, snow spread across New York and New England, transitioning to a mix of sleet and freezing rain later in the evening. This treacherous combination could bring power outages, slick roads, and travel disruptions.
Snowfall totals could reach double digits in parts of the Great Lakes, northern New York, and New England, while ice accumulation will limit totals in the Ohio Valley and southern Northeast.
As the storm departs Monday, lake-effect snow is expected to intensify across the Great Lakes, while another surge of frigid air could send temperatures plunging 30 degrees below normal in parts of the central U.S. early next week.
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