No less than one individual was killed as extreme rainstorms and flash flooding overwhelmed a number of southern states on Saturday — leaving thousands and thousands getting ready for the worst.
Elements of Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia had been experiencing torrential downpours as Winter Storm Jett pounded the states — with over 128 million individuals underneath climate alerts, in keeping with The Climate Channel.
The anticipated downpour was dubbed a “major, potentially historic, flash flood event” by the Nationwide Climate Service.
In Kentucky, a 73-year-old man died in Clay County when his car was swept away by the floods, in keeping with native authorities.
That also-unidentified man was swept away on Freeway 80 whereas exiting his already nature-thrown car, officers stated.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear preemptively declared a state of emergency — as flash floods had been anticipated to proceed hitting the Bluegrass State on Sunday.
“We want everyone to be careful. The amount of rain coming down will make it hard to drive, and flash flooding, especially across our roads, can create dangerous conditions, Beshear said in a statement, adding, “And remember, don’t drive through standing water, it can have a current, and it is incredibly dangerous.”
Swaths of Kentucky might see 5-8 inches of rain as a result of state-spanning storm system — which can proceed to develop over the following a number of days, Fox Climate reported.
Heavy rain and flooding additionally got here down in Virginia and West Virginia — with roadways rapidly reworking into streams.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a state of emergency in 10 southern counties Saturday evening, whereas Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin deployed the state’s Nationwide Guard.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Middle issued their most dire degree 4 flash flood risk score of “extreme” for elements of northwestern Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky.
With Submit wires
