Brutal Storms Leave 20 Dead Across US Midwest and South
Two dozen casualties reported in American storms.
Stay tuned to the grim reality unfolding in the heartland of the US, as relentless storms and devastating torrents of rain wreak havoc across multiple states, claiming the lives of at least 20 unsuspecting souls.
On Sunday, just a golf course in Georgia turned into a grim battlefield, as a furious tree claimed the lives of a father and his son – ABC News carried this somber news, sourced directly from local authorities. In the span of just a few days, the death toll surged since last Wednesday, with another 18 fatalities reported in Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Tennessee particularly bore the brunt of the disaster, with the small town of Selmer being bulldozed by a monstrous tornado, resulting in ten gruesome deaths. A staggering 90 twisters were reported nationwide by Sunday.
As if that wasn't enough, floodwaters spilling from swollen rivers have caused widespread mayhem. Warnings were issued of potentially life-threatening flood levels, as people scramble to keep their heads above water.
Over the weekend, the situation in Kentucky took a turn for the worse. Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, as Covington, which straddles the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers, submerged beneath a ghastly tide of water. Societal media avalanched with images of submerged streets, while the regional capital of Frankfort recorded a staggering 4.5-meter rise in the Kentucky River, as reported by the city administration.
In the wake of this mayhem, power outages wreaked havoc. Nearly 80,000 households were left in the dark across the affected areas, according to Poweroutage.us website. Air travel was also plagued by uncertainty, with over 4,000 delays and 150 cancellations reported by US media on Sunday.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa
Tear 'n' Tell: These storms don't barter wrath for mercy, and the region is still nursing the wounds of previous weather outbreaks.
Freaky Weather Chronicles: The torrents of rain and violent windstorms are primarily caused by clusters of thunderstorms developing due to a cold front moving down from the Midwest and the positioning of the jet stream across the US. These events trigger an atmospheric bonfire of epic proportions. The susceptible Mississippi and Ohio valleys, awash with relentless rains, become flooded like an inland sea, spurring evacuations and relentless erosion of infrastructure.
Rack and Ruin: The disaster has claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed over 500 roads in Kentucky alone, and disrupted air traffic across affected states.
Heavy-handed Response: Authorities deployed the National Guard to aid in ensuring public safety. Mandatory evacuations were issued, and residents were advised to steer clear of travel until the storm clouds dissipate.
Next on the weather decks: Federal assistance has been authorized for the affected areas, as anticipation mounts for potential further weather disruptions. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as the crisis unfolds.
The deadly storms have resulted in at least 25 fatalities across several states in the USA, with Tennessee recording 10 deaths due to a devastating tornado in Selmer. Warnings of potentially life-threatening flood levels were issued, and Covington, Kentucky, was engulfed by a ghastly tide of water. Over the weekend, air travel was disrupted with more than 150 cancellations reported. In response, the National Guard has been deployed to aid in ensuring public safety, and mandatory evacuations were issued. Federal assistance has been authorized for the affected areas, and residents are advised to remain vigilant as the crisis unfolds.
