Another heavy rain and wind on Sunday hit the vast south and midwest, increasing the risk of flooding where the river has already overflowed.
But as the storm system began to move eastward, residents from Texas to Ohio, a cautious attitude towards explosion storms and uneasy predictions, finally began to suffer probation.
By far, the biggest rainfall over the weekend has fallen in Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky, where water and flooding prompted water rescue, road closures and evacuation orders. At least 16 people have died since Wednesday, including a 5-year-old boy in Arkansas, a 9-year-old boy in Kentucky and a firefighter in Missouri. Over the past four days, some areas have received more than 15 inches of rain.
Residents in the area are eager for rest because the storm is expected to be less powerful. By Monday, heavy rain and floods may be greatly alleviated.
However, even as floods subside, other uncertainties are emerging, especially in areas where rivers and other waterways continue to rise. The Weather Forecast Center said the threat of “potentially catastrophic” river flooding in areas already hit by storms will continue throughout the week.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of the region can still receive up to five inches of rain before long and severe weather finally clears. Flooding in many rivers in the region is expected to be “moderate to significant” flooding.
“Given that everything is so saturated, everything runs on the ground, into the creeks and streams,” said Nate McGinnis, a meteorologist at the agency in Wilmington, Ohio.
Some rivers in areas such as northern Arkansas and southern Missouri may immediately summit on Sunday. Forecasters say others may continue to add two or even three days, but there are fewer opportunities for dangerous floods than Friday and Saturday.
Another unknown is the extent of the damage, as many people are waiting to assess the losses of the storm.
In Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Calvary Mount Powerhouse Church had to reschedule and reschedule its Sunday services as nearby Black River poured into the bank, turning the church’s parking lot into a muddy brown lake. The church sat on the top of a hill, but the pastor and fellow citizens were worried about whether it was tall enough to avoid shelter.
“We don't know yet,” said Ron Webb, bishop of the church. “So we will take a boat to see it after the service, because it got there.”
Eastern Mississippi, nearly all Alabama, northwestern Georgia and eastern Tennessee were the first to hit Sunday, according to the Weather Forecast Center.
From southeast Virginia to eastern Florida, the region faces the greatest risk of excessive rainfall on Monday. The Weather Forecast Center expects 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain there, and there may be more in some areas, especially northern and eastern Carolina. As the storm system moves eastward, parts of central and southeastern states may experience gusts, thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.
As floods increased over the weekend, first responders in several states, including Arkansas, Missouri and Kentucky, have been working to rescue trapped residents.
Several areas of Kentucky, including parts of Montgomery County, will be part of the Kentucky River at 47 feet, enough to cause near-record flooding, officials said. Some low-lying houses in nearby Woodford County have been flooded with six to eight feet of water.
Parts of Shelbyville, Kentucky, are a city of more than 17,000 people, and are subject to mandatory evacuation orders due to flooding of the Big Blue and Small Blue Rivers, local officials said. The entire Falmouth, Kentucky, where 2,500 people were located on the Licking River were also ordered to be cleared out.
When the Lick River invaded Falmouth (1997) caused the flood caused by five people, the rain thrived into the painful memories of the past. Floods cause rivers to be installed to better track water levels.
“Thinking that this might be the 1997 idea doesn’t leave your thoughts behind,” said Debbie Dennie, former editor of Falmouth Outlook. The possibility of returning to something like this is “will be devastating”, she added.
The worst is over in places like Cape Girardeau, Missouri, etc. Residents are ready for cleanup and reconstruction. The roof of a pizzeria collapsed and the windows of an antique shop exploded.
Sunday morning in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was filled with the buzz of pumps that pulled water from downtown buildings. One of them belongs to Tony Kirves, who owns a photography studio. The basement of his building was flooded, and the water almost reached the entrance protected by sandbags.
He said the past few days have been uneasy and his anxiety has risen with the flood.
“Everything was backed off,” Mr. Kilves said. “And then it came again last night.”
He saw photos of downtown Hopkinsville in his studio: 1937, 1957, 1997 in the past floods. Photos from the past week may be added. “It's '25 – two years earlier,” he said.
Jessica Stratton said Saturday in Anderson County, Kentucky, that she knew her campers had lost totally and believed it would be washed away. She left her at the campers to the grocery store at Tyrone Baptist Church to deliver meals to displaced people.
“We watch and wait and make sure everyone can eat it,” Ms Straton said. “I'm not leaving my people behind.”
Carly Gist,,,,, Amy Graff,,,,, Simon J. Levien,,,,, Jamie McGeeMike Fitzgerald, Mickey Smith,,,,, Isabelle Taft,,,,, Ali Watkins,,,,, Ginny Whitehouse and Yan Zhuang Contribution report.
