Severe and life-threatening weather has continued for the fourth straight day across multiple southern U.S. states, causing deadly floods, tornadoes, and widespread destruction. States like Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky have been hit the hardest, with several fatalities reported and thousands affected by the extreme weather conditions.
Death Toll Rises Across the Region
Since Wednesday, at least 12 people have lost their lives, including:
- A 9-year-old boy in Kentucky, swept away by floodwaters on his way to school.
- Five people in Tennessee, including several killed by an EF-3 tornado in the town of Selmer.
- A 5-year-old child in Little Rock, Arkansas, confirmed dead in a storm-related incident.
- Three people in Missouri, including Chevy Gall, a 16-year-old firefighter who died in a car accident while responding to a water rescue.
- Fire Chief Garry Moore, 68, in Whitewater, Missouri, who died while helping a stranded motorist.
- One death each in Indiana and Kentucky due to the floods.
Memphis and Little Rock Face Flash Flood Emergencies
As of Saturday evening, Memphis, Tennessee, remained under a flash flood emergency, which is the highest alert level issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). Torrential rain continues to fall across the Mid-South, making roads impassable and forcing emergency rescues.
In Arkansas, up to one foot of rain has fallen in just a few days—equal to three months’ worth of rainfall. Areas like Little Rock, Cherokee Village, and Hardy were under flash flood emergencies, though some of those alerts were lifted as rain eased slightly Saturday evening.
However, emergency crews reported multiple water rescues and damage, including flooded roads, downed trees and power lines, and a possible tornado near Wynne, Arkansas, which the NWS is still investigating.
Tornado Watches Across Seven States
Severe weather threats are ongoing from Texas to Kentucky, with tornado watches issued across seven states, including Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.
In the last 24 hours alone, over a dozen tornadoes have been reported in Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Cities such as Memphis, Little Rock, Nashville, and Houston are all on alert for strong tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and flash flooding through Saturday night.
The highest tornado risk was centered in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi, where powerful thunderstorms were already active.
Forecast for Sunday: Slight Relief, But More Rain Ahead
The weather is expected to calm down slightly on Sunday as the storm system moves east, but parts of the Tennessee and Ohio River Valleys could still see 3 to 6 inches of additional rainfall before the weather improves by Monday.
Meanwhile, regions of the Southeast including Georgia, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, southern Mississippi, and southeastern Louisiana are under a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) for severe weather. These areas may experience:
- Heavy rainfall at 2 to 3 inches per hour
- Flash flooding in low-lying areas
- Isolated tornadoes
- Strong wind gusts and hail