Over the weekend, flash flooding and tornadoes caused by massive storms swept across midwestern and southern parts of the U.S., leaving death and devastation in their wake. At least 20 deaths have been reported. Tennessee accounted for half of the deaths, which included children and the elderly. Three deaths occurred in Missouri, and Kentucky had two reported deaths. Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, and Mississippi also reported deaths. Violent weather patterns caused massive flooding on Sunday
The Deaths Included Children
Also, on Sunday, the National Weather Service warned that several locations could see a “major flood stage” despite the rain slowing. It is expected that the storms will move towards the southeast Atlantic coast.
A 9-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters as he attempted to walk to a school bus stop. Officials located his body two hours later. During a press conference on Friday, Franklin County Schools Superintendent Mark Kopp said, “We are deeply saddened at this horrific tragedy that claimed the life of one of our students.”
“We need everyone to understand that all water poses a risk right now. Let’s do everything possible to keep our loved ones safe,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said. He called the boy’s death an “unimaginable loss” and confirmed the death of an adult. Many Kentuckians have questioned why schools were not closed while the state was under storm threats.
Chevy Gall, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter, was killed in the line of duty when he crashed his car as he attempted to rescue people trapped by the storm. “Chevy died while answering the call to help others,” said local Fire Chief Terry Feth.
Feth added that “our entire department is grieving, as we mourn with Chevy’s family, friends, and our fellow first responders during this incredibly difficult time.” A 5-year-old boy in Little Rock, Arkansas, died when a tree fell into his home. Officials say that the child died from severe injuries from a fallen tree blown down by strong winds around 11 a.m. There were also two people injured from the same storm in Miller County.
Storms Killed A Father And Son In Georgia
On Sunday, a father and son were killed in Georgia while they played a round of golf. Mathew Terrell Collins, 58, and Matthew Terrell Collins Jr., 29, were killed when storms caused a tree to fall on their golf cart. A GoFundMe has been created for the Collins family. “They were spending time together when the storm struck, sharing a moment between father and son that would unknowingly be their last,” the GoFundMe reads.
On Monday morning, more than nine million people were under a flood watch. Rivers swollen by constant rain threatened to overflow and flood cities, including Frankfort, Kentucky, which was issued a mandatory evacuation order. “As long as I’ve been alive – and I’m 52 – this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Frankfort resident Wendy Quire of Frankfort told AP News over the weekend. “The rain just won’t stop,” she added. “It’s been nonstop for days and days.”
Storms Are Now Moving Toward The Coast
The storms are expected to move toward the coast on Monday. It will bring massive rainfall to the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia. Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, which is hosting the Masters tournament, evacuated participants and crowds on Monday. Hundreds of counties were under storm warnings for days. Back in March, the same area was hit by dust storms, tornadoes, and wildfires that left staggering damage and 40 dead.
