Swollen Rivers Devastate Southern Towns After Relentless Torrential Rain

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Severe storms and relentless rain have brought devastation across Kentucky and neighboring states, leading to at least 18 fatalities. Rivers are swelling to near-record levels, inundating communities throughout the saturated South and parts of the Midwest.

With the situation worsening, authorities have initiated evacuations and deployed rescue teams using inflatable boats to reach stranded residents. Power and gas have been turned off across a swathe of the region, affecting areas from Texas to Ohio.

Wendy Quire, general manager of the Brown Barrel restaurant in Frankfort, expressed her alarm, stating, “As long as I’ve been alive — and I’m 52 — this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.” Frankfort’s mayor, Layne Wilkerson, warned that the Kentucky River, already swollen, is expected to crest above 49 feet soon, potentially reaching a record high.

As emergency services worked to address the crisis, a palpable sense of fear lingered among residents. Kevin Gordon, a front desk clerk at a local hotel, remarked on the overwhelming severity of the flooding, referring to it as “an act of God.”

The storms, which began earlier in the week, have resulted in tragic incidents, including the drowning of a 9-year-old boy in Kentucky and a young child in Arkansas struck by a falling tree. A Missouri firefighter lost his life while attempting to aid those in distress during the chaos.

In response to mounting danger, emergency officials called for mandatory evacuations in towns near the rising Licking River, recalling a past flood that claimed lives and destroyed thousands of homes. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for numerous locations that could see significant flooding, impacting critical infrastructure.

Forecasters attribute this extreme weather to various factors, including warm temperatures and abundant Gulf moisture. The NWS reported record rainfall, with Jonesboro, Arkansas, receiving 5.06 inches in just one day, making it the wettest April day on record for the city. Meanwhile, Memphis experienced a staggering 14 inches of rain within five days, exacerbating already dire conditions.

In Rives, Tennessee, swift overflow from the Obion River has led to widespread flooding. Local resident Domanic Scott expressed concern for his family’s home, which is uninsured against floods due to its location. Many in Dyersburg, also hard-hit, sought refuge in storm shelters with essential items, including medications and personal belongings.

For some, that meant a look at the liquor cabinet amidst the turmoil. In Frankfort, Bill Jones evacuated his home, navigating rising water while transporting several boxes of bourbon to safety.

As the storms continue to unfold, residents are left grappling with both the immediate impact and the lingering threat of further severe weather in the days ahead.

Izaguirre reported from New York. Kruesi reported from Nashville. Contributions to this report came from various Associated Press writers across the affected regions.