Rivers have surged and flooding has intensified across the Southern and Midwestern United States, further endangering communities already drastically affected by days of intense rain, tornadoes, and severe winds that have caused at least 18 fatalities.
Across regions from Texas to Ohio, efforts were made to cut off power and gas supplies on Sunday, leading some cities to close roads and use sandbags to safeguard homes and businesses.
Experts warn that the risk of flooding could last for days, as heavy rains continue to impact numerous US states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.
There is also a risk of tornadoes in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
The National Weather Service (NWS) stated on Sunday that several locations across multiple states are expected to experience “major flood stage,” possibly leading to extensive flooding of critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges.
The 18 deaths reported since the onset of the storms on Wednesday include 10 in Tennessee, as per The Associated Press news agency.
A 9-year-old boy in Kentucky was swept away by floodwaters while walking to catch his school bus. A 5-year-old boy in Arkansas died when a tree fell on his family’s home. A 16-year-old volunteer in Missouri died in a crash while trying to assist those affected by the storm.

Hundreds of flights cancelled

According to FlightAware.com, there were 521 domestic and international flights cancelled within the US and more than 6,400 delayed on Saturday. By early Sunday, there were 74 cancellations and 478 delays of US flights reported.
The severe weather follows cuts in jobs at NWS forecast offices by the administration of US President Donald Trump, with nearly half of these offices experiencing vacancy rates of about 20 percent, double what they were a decade ago.