Death toll expected to rise after southeast is hit with severe storm

Sunday

Devin Pavlou Digital Producer

By Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer)

Severe weather, including heavy rain, high winds and two EF-1 tornadoes, hit the southeast on Feb. 16, resulting in nine deaths, with eight in Kentucky. The storms caused extensive damage in Alabama and significant flooding in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Most deaths in Kentucky were due to people driving into water, with one death in Atlanta from a fallen tree.
A levee break in Rives, Tennessee, required the rescue of at least 200 people.

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As many as nine people are dead after severe weather hit the southeast Saturday night, Feb. 16. Kentucky claimed the majority of the deaths, with eight killed in the state, according to officials.

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What kind of weather did the region receive?

The southeast was hit with a severe storm system that carried heavy rain and high winds. Tennessee and Kentucky received about 6 inches of rain.

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In Alabama, the National Weather Service confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes touched down in the state. Local officials in Tuscumbia, Alabama, located in the northwest part of the state, also confirmed extensive damage to buildings and property.

Why did so many people die in these storms?

Only one person was killed due to debris or falling trees. Officials in Atlanta confirmed a person was killed when a tree fell on their home early Sunday, Feb. 16. However, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the majority of the deaths in his state were from people driving into water.

“So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive,” he said. “This is the search and rescue phase, and I am very proud of all the Kentuckians that are out there responding, putting their lives on the line.”

The governor also said during a press conference on Sunday that he expects the death toll to rise.

Beshear said there were about 1,000 rescues across the state since the severe weather. The storms also knocked out power to more than 39,000 homes in his state. Nearly 400,000 were without power across the region following the storms.

How extensive is the damage?

The flooding caused many cars and buildings to become submerged across Kentucky. Officials also said mudslides blocked roadways.

More than 300 roads were closed in Kentucky on Sunday due to landslides and flooding.

The Kentucky River Medical Center said staff had to close its emergency department due to the flooding. The patients were safely transferred to two other local hospitals.

In Rives, Tennessee, at least 200 people had to be rescued after a levee broke near the town. Following the break, NWS sent a life-threatening alert for residents to get to higher ground immediately. Several outside rescue teams had to be called to assist with local rescue efforts.

What kind of weather is coming up for the U.S.?

Meteorologists are forecasting the United States is about to get its 10th and coldest polar vortex event this season. They said by next week, nearly 90% of the contiguous U.S. will be below the freezing point, nearly 30% will be below zero.

Experts also expect strong winds to make the cold feel even colder. Every U.S. state but Hawaii, California and Florida have a good chance of windchills of 20 degrees or below sometime next week, according to the NWS.