A deadly storm system with tornados and floods has ripped across the South and Midwest, leaving a trail of destruction, swollen rivers, and at least 16 people dead.
Tornados and floods combined in a brutal weather assault that began midweek. Now, forecasters warn the worst may not be over.
Flash flood emergencies and new tornado warnings lit up weather maps from Alabama to Kentucky overnight Saturday. The National Weather Service said more devastation could hit before the skies clear.
Flash Floods Trap and Kill as Rivers Rise Fast
In Missouri, a 57-year-old man died after floodwaters swept his vehicle off the road. In Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy on his way to school was carried away by rising waters. A 74-year-old woman was found dead in her submerged car.
Arkansas wasn’t spared. A 5-year-old child died in a storm-related accident in Little Rock, police confirmed Saturday.
In total, at least 10 deaths occurred in Tennessee. Dozens more were injured as homes were flattened, roads vanished, and rivers surged past historic levels.
Louisville Faces One of Its Worst Floods Ever
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg warned that the Ohio River rose five feet in 24 hours—and it’s still rising.
“This could be one of the top 10 floods in our city’s history,” he said. The city remains on high alert.
Across Kentucky, hundreds of roads are underwater or blocked by mudslides, fallen trees, or debris. Falmouth, a town of 2,000, was forced to evacuate as the Licking River threatened to repeat its deadly 1997 flood level.
Air and Rail Travel Crippled
Travel chaos added to the crisis.
According to FlightAware, 521 flights were canceled Saturday and over 6,400 delayed nationwide. On Sunday morning alone, another 478 delays hit U.S. airports.
Freight traffic is also suffering. AccuWeather meteorologists warned that major hubs like Memphis and Louisville could see disruptions to shipping and supply chains.
In Arkansas, BNSF Railway confirmed floodwaters washed out a bridge in Mammoth Spring. Several train cars derailed. Thankfully, no one was hurt. But the bridge remains closed with no reopening estimate.
NWS Staffing Shortages Complicate Response
Adding to the strain, the National Weather Service is operating with fewer workers than in decades.
Nearly half of its forecast offices are 20% understaffed, a lingering effect of federal job cuts during the Trump administration.
Experts say that may impact response times and forecast accuracy during severe weather events like these.
Drenched and Drenched Again
The storm system has dumped historic rainfall across the region. Since Wednesday, over a foot of rain has soaked parts of Kentucky. Arkansas and Missouri have seen more than eight inches.
Meteorologists say the dangerous weather comes from a toxic mix of warm temperatures, high moisture from the Gulf, and unstable winds.
It’s the same deadly formula that triggered last week’s tornado outbreak.
Tornados Toss Debris Miles Into the Sky
Tornados returned Friday night, touching down in parts of Missouri and Arkansas. One tornado near Blytheville, Arkansas, hurled debris over 25,000 feet into the air.
That twister and others damaged homes and businesses in at least 22 Arkansas counties. Hail and hurricane-force wind gusts followed close behind.
Meanwhile, shelters filled fast.
In Dyersburg, Tennessee, dozens fled to a public school with nothing but the essentials. One man, George Manns, 77, brought toiletries, tech gear, and medications.
“I don’t leave them in my apartment in case it gets destroyed,” he said. “I have to make sure I have them with me.”
Hopkinsville Breathes, But Not for Long
In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, floodwaters from the Little River pulled back Saturday morning. The brief break gave residents time to breathe—but more rain loomed.
“We got a little rain, but most of it went north of us,” said Mayor James R. Knight Jr. “Thank goodness. Gave us a little break.”
Officials across the state echoed a similar warning: don’t let your guard down yet.
Flash Flood Warnings Still Active Across Region
Flash flood warnings were still active Saturday night for parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas. With saturated ground, even moderate rain could quickly lead to disaster.
Weather officials begged residents not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Roads continue to collapse without warning.
The National Weather Service warned that dozens of rivers in multiple states could soon hit “major flood stage,” threatening critical infrastructure and thousands of homes.
Another Round May Be Coming
Forecasters aren’t ruling out another round of destructive storms early next week. The unstable system lingers, and any additional rainfall could trigger more flash floods or even landslides.
Experts are urging residents in flood-prone zones to stay alert and prepare evacuation plans now.
For those who’ve already lost homes or loved ones, the cleanup is just beginning.
But with more tornados and floods on the radar, the nightmare may not be over yet.
