The storms are also sending frigid temperatures to much of the north, from the Rockies to New England.
Large portions of the United States were hit by wild winter weather on Feb. 16, with torrential downpours flooding Kentucky and killing at least nine in the Southeast. Tornado watches were issued for parts of Florida and Georgia, while the Northern Plains faced frigid temperatures.
Two deaths involved a mother and her 7-year-old child when flood waters swept away their car in Hart County, Kentucky, near Interstate 65, a county official told WBKO-TV. Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts said they perished Saturday evening in the Bonnieville community.
Another death involved a 73-year-old man in southeastern Kentucky. He was found dead in floodwaters in Clay County, according to County Emergency Management Deputy Director Revelle Berry.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on Feb. 16 that his request for disaster relief funding was approved by President Donald Trump.
Up to six inches of rain fell onto portions of Kentucky and Tennessee this weekend, according to National Weather Service senior forecaster Bob Oravec.
“The effects will continue for awhile, a lot of swollen streams and a lot of flooding going on,” Oravec said Sunday. “Any time there’s flooding, the flooding can last a lot longer than the rain lasts.”
Tornado watches were in effect early on Sunday in parts of Georgia and Florida as severe storms swept through, the National Weather Service said.
A fourth death occurred in Atlanta after an “extremely large tree” fell on a home early on Sunday, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell. Firefighters were dispatched to the area just before 5 a.m. following a 911 call, he said.
The Northern Plains near the Canadian border are expected to experience frigid temperatures in the minus 30s F. Windchill temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees F and minus 50 degrees F are expected for the Dakotas and Minnesota, respectively.
Parts of New England and northern New York will likely see heavy snowfall, with some areas seeing wind gusts upwards to 60 mph, creating “hazardous whiteout conditions,” the National Weather Service said.
By Jacob Burg
