Severe Weather Claims Lives and Causes Widespread Disruptions Across the US

Kentucky, The Gulf Observer: At least nine people have died in the latest round of severe weather battering the United States, with eight fatalities reported in Kentucky alone due to heavy rain and rising creeks. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the deaths during a news conference on Sunday, adding that more than 1,000 water rescues have taken place in the state.

“We hope it doesn’t grow quickly or grow much larger, but one way you can help us out to ensure we have as few fatalities as possible is don’t get on the roadways,” Governor Beshear urged, emphasizing that many fatalities resulted from attempts to drive through water-covered roads.

Excessive rainfall continues to cause flooding and road closures across parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Beshear described the flooding’s impact as “massive” and warned of worsening conditions due to ongoing weather.

The governor also requested an emergency disaster declaration from President Donald Trump to unlock federal funding for affected areas.

In Atlanta, a person was killed when a large tree fell on a home during the storm.

Meanwhile, the Northern Plains, near the Canadian border, are bracing for dangerously cold temperatures. Wind chills in the Dakotas and Minnesota are expected to plummet to minus 40 to minus 45.6 Celsius, with the National Weather Service issuing warnings of “life-threatening cold.”

The cold is being driven by the 10th polar vortex event of the season, with meteorologists warning of dangerous conditions in the northern Rockies and northern Plains. Additionally, avalanche warnings have been issued for several areas of the Rocky Mountains, with the highest risk in Utah.