Deadly deluge: 16 lives claimed in southern US storms
Heavy rains and floods have affected the southern and Midwestern USA, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people. These regions were already grappling with severe storms and tornadoes.
Another wave of heavy rainfall and flash floods has hit the South and Midwest of the United States. These areas had already endured violent storms, which also brought deadly tornadoes. The weather front has claimed at least 16 lives.
On Saturday (5 April), meteorologists warned of further rises in river levels, which may persist for several more days. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings of potential severe flooding in many states, threatening to inundate buildings, roads, and bridges. Since Wednesday, over 300 millimetres of rain have fallen in some parts of Kentucky, and over 200 millimetres in Arkansas and Missouri.
USA: 16 victims of catastrophic weather
To date, at least 16 fatalities have been reported due to adverse weather conditions. In Tennessee, 10 people died, and in Kentucky, 2 people drowned. Tornadoes that swept through the region earlier in the week destroyed entire neighbourhoods and caused the death of at least seven people.
In Kentucky, hundreds of roads became impassable due to floods, fallen trees, and landslides. In the north-central part of the state, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the town of Falmouth, which has a population of 2,000. Meteorologists suggest that the cause of such violent weather includes high temperatures, an unstable atmosphere, strong winds, and high humidity.
Problems with forecasting
Extreme weather phenomena coincided with a situation where nearly half of the NWS forecasting offices are struggling with 20 per cent job vacancies due to staff cuts by the Trump administration.
