FLOODING: Kentucky governor declares a state of emergency

Southern U.S. struck by deadly thunderstorms, tornados and flash floods since weekend, 25 dead

Kentucky  Governor Steve Beshear declared a state of emergency afetr  four people died in weather-related accidents on Monday.

“I urge individuals who encounter high waters to use extreme caution and avoid unnecessary contact with flood waters if at all possible,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile President Obama signed a disaster declaration for Alabama on Monday, in response to the damage caused by tornados and flooding in two counties, the White House said.

Parts of downtown Nashville had to be evacuated Monday as Cumberland River overflowed after 2 days of violent thunderstorms, which triggered an extreme rain event.

At least 25 people have been killed in storm and flooding-related incidents throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

The flooding Cumberland River that snakes through Nashville forced schools, offices, bars and clubs to shut down. About 1,500 tourists had to be evacuated from the famed Opryland hotel, where the floodwater reached the second in several wings of the building. Photo: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.

At least 33cm (13 inches) of of rain fell in Nashville over the weekend, almost double the previous record of 17cm that fell in 1979 when Hurricane Fredrick struck.

One of Nashville’s two water treatment plants was submerged in floodwater, and Mayor Karl Dean urged  residents to cut their water use by 50 percent “using it only for drinking and cooking, or risk contamination of the city’s drinking water.” A report said.

The storm cut power lines leaving thousands of residents without electricity.

Meanwhile, about 13cm (5 inches) of rain fell over parts of Alabama overnight, causing extensive flooding As much as 5 inches of rain fell over some parts of Alabama overnight, causing flooding of roads in the Alexander City area in east central Alabama.

Roger McNeil of the National Weather Service in Mobile said Monday the worst flooding was , where there were reports of police having to rescue people from cars in flooded roads. There were no reports of any injuries.in some areas.

Police reported many people caught in their cars on flooded roads, which had to be rescued. There was no report of fatality or injury.

2010 could prove to be one of the deadliest and costliest years on record for storms, flooding, landslide and other human-enhanced disasters. —Fire-Earth

Related Links:

• Deadly storms kill at least 7 in Tenn., 5 in Miss.
• Deadly tornadoes Kill at least 3 in Arkansas
• Giant Tornado Kills at least 10 in Mississippi

• Saturn-like Storms Strike Southeast U.S.
• 2010 Disasters
• 2010 Disaster Calender [May]

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