Deadly Storms, Flooding Worsen Across South and Midwest US

Rising rivers and worsening floods have intensified across the Southern and Midwestern United States, threatening communities already reeling from days of heavy rain, tornadoes, and harsh winds.

At least 18 people have died as a result of the severe weather that began on Wednesday, Al Jazeera reports.

From Texas to Ohio, utility companies are struggling to shut off power and gas services, prompting cities to close roads and deploy sandbags in efforts to protect homes and businesses. Forecasters warn that the flooding is expected to persist for days, with torrential rains continuing to impact states including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings on Sunday, stating that dozens of locations across multiple states are anticipated to reach a “major flood stage,” potentially causing widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Tornadoes remain a possibility in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

The Associated Press reports that the 18 deaths since the start of the storms include 10 in Tennessee. Tragic incidents include the death of a nine-year-old boy in Kentucky swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus, and a five-year-old boy in Arkansas who died when a tree fell on his family’s home. In Missouri, a 16-year-old volunteer died in a car crash while attempting to rescue individuals trapped by the storm.

Travel has been significantly disrupted, with FlightAware.com reporting 521 domestic and international flights cancelled within the US and over 6,400 delayed on Saturday. As of early Sunday, the site reported 74 cancellations and 478 delays.

The severe weather comes at a time when the administration of US President Donald Trump has faced scrutiny for cutting jobs at NWS forecast offices. Reports indicate that approximately half of these offices have vacancy rates of around 20%, double the level of a decade ago.