Across the U.S. South and Midwest, communities battled rising waters and intensified flooding on Sunday as rivers swelled due to relentless downpours and powerful winds that have claimed at least 18 lives.
In states like Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, some regions saw the rain depart, but water levels continued to rise, seeping into homes and businesses and overtaking roads.
In Frankfort, Kentucky, the state capital witnessed rescue teams navigating flooded streets using inflatable rafts to ensure residents’ safety. Workers hastily built sandbag barriers to protect properties and disconnected utilities while the rising Kentucky River loomed ominously.
Wendy Quire, managing the Brown Barrel restaurant in Frankfort’s downtown, remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 52 years of life here.”
The river reached over 47 feet on Sunday, with predictions it would crest beyond 49 feet by Monday morning—posing a potential record breach—as noted by Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson. The city’s flood wall is engineered to withstand up to 51 feet.
Meteorologists cautioned that flooding might persist due to continued heavy rains across multiple states. Tornado watches extended throughout Sunday across areas in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Facing the dire conditions, many residents expressed a mix of awe and fear. Kevin Gordon from the Ashbrook Hotel in downtown Frankfort described the flooding as a “divine act” and noted that while the hotel remained open, offering discounted rates to affected locals, closure loomed as a real possibility.
The severe weather had proved fatal for 18 individuals, including 10 in Tennessee. Tragic incidents included a young boy swept away by floodwaters in Kentucky and a fatal accident involving a tree in Arkansas. In Missouri, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter lost his life in a crash while assisting storm victims.
The National Weather Service forecasted numerous sites across several states would reach a “major flood stage,” predicting substantial flooding impacting buildings, roads, and critical infrastructure.
In north-central Kentucky, emergency responders issued a mandatory evacuation for Falmouth and Butler towns in response to the surging Licking River. In an echo of history, 30 years prior, the river’s record crest at 50 feet had led to five fatalities and the destruction of 1,000 homes.
Further complicating rescue efforts, recent cuts to jobs at National Weather Service forecast offices have left them with significant staff shortages.
Northwest Tennessee’s small town was submerged almost entirely due to the Obion River flooding, exacerbated by a previous levee failure. Resident Domanic Scott, checking on his father amid the flood, voiced concern about not having flood insurance and the risk of losing their first fully paid-off home.
In Frankfort, Kentucky, resident Bill Jones hastily packed essentials—including bourbon from his liquor collection—as he evacuated aboard a boat due to water reaching his windows.
By Sunday morning, some areas had experienced extraordinary rainfall; Memphis recorded 14 inches, while nearby West Memphis, Arkansas, measured 10 inches. The weather system continued moving eastward, causing additional damage as fierce winds uprooted trees in Alabama and Georgia.
Forecasters linked the volatile weather to a combination of warm temperatures, atmospheric instability, robust winds, and ample moisture flowing in from the Gulf.