Deadly line of thunderstorms strikes Tennessee and northern Mississippi, killing at least 12 people, damaging homes and closing most of highways
The storms were accompanied by an extreme rain event forcing thousands of people to evacuate, while hundreds of others had to be plucked from rooftops, as flood waters from overflowing rivers and creeks submerged neighborhoods throughout the region.
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.
“That is an astonishing amount of rain in a 24- or 36-hour period,” Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen said, adding that it was an “unprecedented rain event.”
Schools, hospitals and government buildings also were flooded, forcing many schools in middle Tennessee to close for Monday.
According to one emergency official and long term resident of Nashville, it was the worst flooding in living memory. “I’ve never seen it this high,” said Donnie Smith. “I’m sure that it’s rained this hard at one time, but never for this much of an extended period.”
Meanwhile, tornadoes obliterated homes, “overturned vehicles and uprooted trees were scattered across central Arkansas on Saturday after several tornadoes ripped through the state, killing a woman and injuring two dozen others,” AP quoted authorities as saying.
Video footage show the extent of deluge, and a large building being washed away.
Related Links:
- Deadly tornadoes Kill at least 3 in Arkansas
- Giant Tornado Kills at least 10 in Mississippi
- U.S. Warmer, Drier in March
- Saturn-like Storms Strike Southeast U.S.
- Imminent Flood Threat in the U.S. Midwest
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