USA – Flash Floods After Torrential Rain in South

At least 4 people have died after storms and heavy rainfall swept across southern and south eastern states in the USA from 05 June, 2019.

High water rescues in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 2019. Photo: Baton Rouge police Department

In North Carolina, Catawba County declared a state of emergency Sunday on 09 June due to excessive rainfall. NWS Greenville-Spartanburg said 11.6 inches of rain fell in the area from 06 to 09 June, 2019.

The county said, “the excessive rainfall has resulted in numerous water rescues, severe flooding, infrastructure damage, hazardous travel conditions and the potential for widespread power outages for residents in the County.”

The City of Hickory in the county also declared an official state of emergency on Sunday, 09 June. Some evacuations were carried out in the city due to flooded buildings.

The severe weather was blamed for the deaths of 3 people in North Carolina. Local news outlet WBTV said “an accident in Lincolnton on Saturday evening left three people dead after a vehicle ran off the road and slid into a creek during inclement weather.”

NWS Blacksburg said Boone, NC, recorded 13.57 inches (344.68 mm) of rain in 72 hours to 09 June, 2019. Other areas in the south east also recorded high rainfall totals. NWS Atlanta said parts of Peachtree City recorded 7.81 inches of rain from 07 to 09 June.

Last week, heavy rainfall between 05 and 06 June caused flash flooding in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Roads were closed and high water rescues carried out in Baton Rouge, where flooding was blamed on the death of one person who died after a vehicle stalled in floodwaters.

NWS New Orleans said heavy rain fell from 05 to 07 June and that “a large swath from Hammond to Baton Rouge and surrounding areas into most of south central LA received upwards of 4 inches to as high as 6 to 8 inches.”

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