USA – Deadly Flash Floods in Kentucky and Missouri

by in News, USA

Heavy rain, enhanced by the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon, caused severe flooding in parts of Kentucky and Missouri between 07 to 09 September 2018. At least 2 people have died in the flooding. Parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania also saw heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, the East Coast is facing another storm as Hurricane Florence draws nearer. Florence is forecast to strengthen and “remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane through Thursday,” according to National Hurricane Center in USA. As of 10 September the storm was located around 1,000 km south-east of the Bermuda Islands.

Elsewhere in the USA, slow-moving storms over the weekend 07 to 09 September 2018 caused flooding in parts of Texas. Local media report that 2 people died when their vehicle was dragged away by flood water in Fort Worth.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, heavy rain from 07 September 2018, caused flash flooding. Associated Press reports that flash flooding killed a driver in Louisville and swept away a child in Morehead. Search operations are continuing to look for the child. A state of emergency was declared Sunday in Montgomery County.

Missouri

In Missouri, heavy rainfall and flooding was reported in low-lying areas in the west of the state from Friday 07 September. A sheriff’s deputy died after his patrol car was swept away by floodwaters from the overflowing Pomme de Terre River near Fair Grove, Greene County.

Hurricane Florence

As of 10 September the storm was located around 1,000 km south-east of the Bermuda Islands.

States of emergency have been declared in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia as Florence is predicted to strengthen and head towards the US East Coast.

Track of Hurricane Florence, September 2018. Image: NHC USA

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said “There is an increasing risk of life-threatening impacts from Florence: storm surge at the coast, freshwater flooding from a prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall event inland, and damaging hurricane-force winds. While it is too soon to determine the exact timing, location, and magnitude of these impacts, interests at the coast and inland from South Carolina into the mid-Atlantic region should closely monitor the progress of Florence, ensure they have their hurricane plan in place, and follow any advice given by local officials.”

NHC said that large swells affecting Bermuda and portions of the U.S. East Coast will continue this week. These swells will result in life-threatening surf and rip currents.

NWS Newport/Morehead reported on 09 September that the combination of a period of King Tides, stronger winds, and a slight influence from some swells from Florence has already caused some ocean over wash across the OBX (Outer Banks barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina) and may occur again over the coming high tides.

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