Rivers rose rapidly in much of the Midwest and South on Saturday, prompting water rescue, evacuation orders and roads to be closed as a ruthless storm continues to pour rainfall.
The increase in flooding from Texas to Ohio came after days of heavy rain and tornadoes killed at least 14 people, including a Missouri firefighter who died in response to a water rescue call Friday, a 74-year-old trapped in a flooded vehicle in Kentucky. Forecasters warn that flooding may continue until next week, with rivers not expected to rest hills in some places until Tuesday or Wednesday.
Emergency workers report water rescue in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas. Kentucky officials issued evacuation orders for the two towns of Butler along the Licking River and Falmouth. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the Little Rock, Arkansas area, warning that catastrophic urban flooding is possible.
The storm killed people from four states, including a 9-year-old boy who was swept away by floods in Frankfurt, Kentucky, and Chevy Gall, a firefighter in the Beaufort-Leslie Fire District, Missouri, who died in a crash while driving to help people rescue the flood from the flood.
Some of the biggest rainfall in Arkansas and southern Missouri have so far fallen. In Lonsdale, Arkansas, firefighters said Saturday they were trying to help evacuate 10 people and 65 horses from flooded horse training centers. In Missouri's West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff said that after a few inches of rain within a few hours, some buildings were occupied on the water. He said his city had nine water rescues and at least one person died.
Throughout Arkansas, trees and power cords were overturned and trains derailed when the train collapsed, and many residents were working hard. In Cabot, rural central Arkansas, some houses have become small islands surrounded by floods.
Not far from Little Rock in Jacksonville, Tonya Coosenberry stood on the front porch on the blanket, watching the road in front of the house disappear underwater. “This is probably the worst flood we have in nearly 15 years,” she said.
There is some wet weather expected from East Texas to New York on Saturday, with some of the biggest rainfall in Arkansas, Butol, Missouri, Western Kentucky and Tennessee. Federal data show that rivers rise rapidly in other parts of the region, although rivers have been reported in some places including Union City, Tennessee.
The Black River near Poplar Bluff, Missouri, surged from four feet to nearly 17 feet of flooding. The river is expected to continue rising on Saturday, with a peak of below record levels expected to be one night. Emergency responders, including the city’s search and rescue team, waited in Poplar Bluff on Saturday, ready to help people evacuate when needed.
Elsewhere, the Kaskaskia River in Illinois, the Mississippi River on the Kentucky border in Missouri and the Ohio River along the Kentucky border in Illinois quickly increased water levels. Many highways in Indiana and Ohio are closed, although some rivers there are expected to peak again within a few days.
The ground is saturated and can no longer absorb rainwater, which means “nowhere to go, it escapes and causes more flooding,” said Frank Pereira, a meteorologist at the Center for Weather Forecasting.
Pereira said Saturday morning that the storm is developing and developing in northeast Oklahoma, northeast Texas, Arkansas and western Tennessee. Some of these areas may see inches of rain, he said. Storms can also produce destructive winds that release large hail and spawn tornadoes.
The stormy weather is expected to shift eastward on Sunday to rest in the United States. Despite the possibility of rain on the East Coast, the greatest rainfall is expected to occur from the Gulf Coast to the southeast of Appalachian Island. Flood risks are not as high as those in central U.S. Friday and Saturday.
Still, cities along the entire storm path in Jackson, Mississippi and Memphis are ready to deteriorate conditions. Officials in St. Louis County, Missouri, said a portion of Interstate 44 is likely to be underwater by Sunday. In Paducah, Kentucky, officials said they are installing gates and getting more pump stations. Sewage tools in the Louisville area say the sewer system has reached capacity due to heavy rain and require customers to avoid running washing machines and dishwashers.
Elsewhere, people compete for the damage already caused.
In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in southwestern part of the state near the Tennessee line, flooding some homes, leaving dirt on the floor, losing overwhelming losses.
“Everything was destroyed,” said City Councilman Brittanie Bogard, who began crying as she described what she encountered while visiting the flood.
Although the rain slowed overnight, lowering the level of the North Fork River several feet, it was still raining Saturday morning and the river began to rise again.
Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam, including Hopkinsville, said emergency responders had rescued about 20 rescues from the residence and moved 40 dogs from a pet boarding service by the river. The county jail also sat by the river.
“We were only a few inches away from the evacuation of about 550 prisoners,” he said. “But luckily, last night, that was when the water started to retreat.”
Many towns experiencing floods are accustomed to high waters and seem to be stride forward.
In Cairo, Illinois, where the confluence of the Mississippi River and Ohio River, the pump was placed around town and the embankment door was blocked because a moderate, steady rain fell on Saturday morning. Some streets were flooded, but no property damage was available.
“Everyone in the city is working around the clock to make sure we keep the water out,” said City Councilman Romello Orr, a restaurant owner in Cairo.
The Karl Crase is in Winchester, KY. He hopes this flood won't be as bad as it used to be.
“We got the beauty on the river and the benefits and uniqueness that came with it. Then, we became Hall in the river,” Kras said. “It's part of our life.”
Report contributed by Mike Fitzgerald of Poplar Bluff, Missouri Carly Gist In Cairo, Illinois, Ginny Whitehouse in Winchester, Kentucky. Simon J. Levien and Jonathan Wolfe Reports were also contributed.
