Over the weekend, a powerful storm wreaked havoc across a large portion of the United States, resulting in at least 10 fatalities and widespread destruction. The states most severely impacted by the storm include Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.
In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed nine deaths due to flooding, with additional fatalities reported in Georgia. The storm triggered over 1,000 rescues in under 24 hours, prompting emergency responders to enter a search and rescue phase.
Video footage captured scenes of toppled trees, submerged vehicles, and flooded homes in multiple states. Kentucky experienced historic high water levels, leading to significant damage and loss of life.
The storm's impact prompted Governor Beshear to declare a state of emergency for Kentucky and seek federal assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on-site in Kentucky, along with the Kentucky National Guard providing support.
The storm also caused power outages and evacuations in several states, with hundreds of thousands of customers left without power. Flash flood emergencies were issued in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with ongoing flood watches.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin submitted a Major Disaster Declaration to President Trump, citing significant damage in the state. Swift water rescues were conducted in Virginia, where a flash flood emergency was declared in certain counties.
The storm resulted in multiple fatalities, including a 73-year-old in Kentucky swept away by floodwaters and two individuals in Kentucky who perished in a vehicle swept away by flash flooding. In Georgia, one person died when a tree fell on a home during severe thunderstorm activity.
While the storm is expected to subside by Monday, parts of the Great Lakes region are bracing for heavy snowfall. Winter storm warnings are in effect for over 10 million people in the Northeast, with significant snowfall predicted in Maine, Vermont, and New York.
The storm's aftermath has left a trail of destruction, with communities grappling with flooding, power outages, and evacuations. The rare level 4 high-risk flooding rainfall event underscores the severity of the storm and its lasting impact on the affected regions.
