- At least 16 people are dead since severe weather systems ripped through parts of the U.S. South and Midwest this week. Ten of those deaths come from Tennessee, seven were the result of tornadoes and three –– including a 9-year-old boy –– came from flooding.
- As of Sunday, tornado warnings are in effect in Alabama and Mississippi, while flash flood warnings were issued in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
- The severe weather could disrupt supply chains that run through a shipping corridor in Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis.
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At least 16 people are dead following severe weather systems that have torn through parts of the U.S. South and Midwest this week. Tornadoes and flash floods are expected to continue decimating areas in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee, exacerbating an already lethal situation.
The deaths include 10 in Tennessee, while seven were the result of tornadoes. Meanwhile, a 57-year-old man in Missouri, as well as a 9-year-old boy and a 74-year-old in Kentucky died due to flooding.
Tornado, flash flood warnings remain in effect
As of Sunday, April 6, tornado warnings are in effect in Alabama and Mississippi. Flash flood warnings have been issued in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Emergencies have been called from Texas to Ohio, due to swelling waterways that saw even more torrential rain and flash flooding Saturday, April 5. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), dozens of areas across multiple states will reach a “major flood stage,” affecting structures, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
Potential supply chain delays
One of those roads includes a shipping corridor that runs through Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis, which could hamper shipping and supply chain routes, said AccuWeather’s Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.
On Saturday, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said he “expect[s] this to be one of the top 10 flooding events” in the city’s history, after the Ohio River swelled 5 feet following 24 hours of torrential rains. That river is expected to continue to rise.
Flights have also been severely disrupted, with 521 cancellations and more than 6,400 delays, both domestic and international, on Saturday. Early Sunday, another 74 had been canceled, along with 478 delays.
The week in review
More than a foot of rain has washed over parts of Kentucky and more than 8 inches have fallen in parts of Arkansas and Missouri since Wednesday, April 2.
Likewise, on Friday, April 4, at least two tornadoes ripped through Missouri and Arkansas, throwing debris at least 25,000 feet into the air. Arkansas’ emergency management office said tornadoes, wind, hail and flash flooding caused damage in 22 counties.
