AP – Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding hit parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that in some cases spawned deadly tornadoes.
Round after round of heavy rains have pounded the central United States (US), leading to rapidly rising waterways and prompting a series of flash flood emergencies in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas.
Meanwhile, many communities were still reeling from tornadoes that destroyed entire neighbourhoods and killed at least seven people earlier this week.
In Frankfort, Kentucky, floodwaters swept a nine-year-old boy away while he was walking to a school bus stop, Governor Andy Beshear said on social media.
Officials said Gabriel Andrews’ body was found about a half-mile from where he went missing.
The downtown area of Hopkinsville, Kentucky – a city of 31,000 residents 116 kilometres northwest of Nashville – was submerged on Friday. A dozen people were rescued from homes, and dozens of pets were moved away from rising water, a fire official said.
Tony Kirves and some friends used sandbags and a vacuum to try to hold back rising waters that covered the basement and seeped into the ground floor of his photography business in Hopkinsville.
Downtown was “like a lake”, he said. “We’re holding ground,” he said. “We’re trying to maintain and keep it out the best we can.” Flash flood emergencies were issued on Friday night in at least seven cities in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service.
FLASH FLOOD THREAT LOOMS OVER MANY STATES
One was in Van Buren, Missouri, where there were at least 15 water rescues amid heavy rainfall and a rapidly rising Current River, said weather service meteorologist Justin Gibbs.
Another was in Texarkana, Texas, where the flooded streets resulted in several people having to be rescued from their vehicles, according to the city’s police department. “If you don’t have darn good reason for being out (like one that involves a visit to the emergency room), please stay home and off the roads!!” the police department said on social media.
Heavy rains were expected to continue in parts of Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and elsewhere Saturday and could produce dangerous flash floods.
The weather service said 45 river locations in multiple states were expected to reach major flood stage, with extensive flooding of structures, roads and other critical infrastructure possible.
