Washington, Apr. 6, (dpa/GNA) – At least 16 people, including two children, have lost their lives since Wednesday amid severe thunderstorms and flooding in the Midwest and South of the United States, local media reported on Saturday.
US broadcaster CNN reported storms killed at least 16 people across Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas and Kentucky since Wednesday.
Tennessee authorities confirmed 10 weather-related fatalities in the state alone.
In Kentucky, a nine-year-old boy was swept away by raging floodwaters on his way to a bus stop, according to local police. He was later found dead. A 74-year-old driver also died in the state after remaining trapped in their vehicle when it became fully submerged by water.
In Missouri, two firefighters died while responding to separate calls on Friday and Wednesday. In Indiana, a 27-year-old man was killed in an incident involving power lines downed during a storm.
In Arkansas, a five-year-old child died in their home. The state’s Department of Public Safety said in a statement that the child’s death was connected to “the ongoing severe weather.”
According to broadcaster ABC News, Arkansas received as much rain in a few days as it usually gets in three months.
In some areas hit by storms, entire blocks were underwater. Houses and cars were submerged up to the roof in the brown, muddy water that flooded streets and fields. Tornadoes were also reported in several areas.
The US National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of the Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valley. it also issued a warning of High Risk (level 4/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley and the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys through Sunday morning.
In March, severe storms in the Midwest and South of the United States claimed the lives of around 40 people.
GNA
PDC