Severe Flooding Threatens South and Midwest After Torrential Rains

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Severe Flooding Threatens South and Midwest After Torrential Rains/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Torrential rain continues to hammer the South and Midwest, causing dangerous flash flooding and worsening damage from recent tornadoes. Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas have declared flood emergencies as rivers rise rapidly and more storms are forecast. The National Weather Service warns that dozens of rivers could reach major flood stage, straining already devastated communities.

Cars sit in a flooded street in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Flash Flood Emergencies in the South and Midwest – Quick Looks

45 river locations expected to hit major flood stage, per the National Weather Service
Flash flood warnings extended across Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi
Seven killed by tornadoes, including a 9-year-old in Kentucky swept away by floodwaters
Downtown Hopkinsville, KY temporarily reopened after Little River receded
Hundreds of roads closed in Kentucky and Ohio due to water and debris
Flash flooding risks remain through Sunday, officials say the “finish line is in sight”
Weather fueled by Gulf moisture, unstable atmosphere, and strong wind shear
Short-staffed National Weather Service struggles amid Trump-era budget cuts

Flood waters rise around homes on Bell Street in Hopkinsville, Ky., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Severe Flooding Threatens South and Midwest After Torrential Rains

Deep Look

HOPKINSVILLE, KY — After days of relentless storms, a new wave of torrential rain and flash flooding threatens already inundated parts of the South and Midwest. Communities are still grappling with the devastation of deadly tornadoes earlier this week, while forecasts predict even more rainfall this weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood emergencies across several states, warning that 45 rivers across Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas could soon reach major flood stage — threatening homes, highways, and infrastructure.

“We anticipate this water coming back quickly if it comes down quickly,” said Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam, as Hopkinsville prepared for another 3-4 inches of rain Saturday.

Floodwaters that turned Hopkinsville’s downtown into a lake on Friday had briefly receded, but Mayor James R. Knight Jr. warned the break would be short-lived. Local authorities distributed sandbags, and jail inmates were enlisted to help, signaling the severity of the anticipated flood surge.

Crisis Mounts Across the Region

Kentucky has borne the brunt of the damage so far, with Governor Andy Beshear reporting widespread road closures and damage in rural areas vulnerable to rapid runoff. He confirmed the death of a 9-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters on Friday.

“Flash flooding in the hollows of eastern and central Kentucky can turn deadly quickly,” Beshear said, recalling historic 2021 flooding in eastern Kentucky that killed dozens.

Elsewhere, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi faced flash flood emergencies and severe storm damage. In Tennessee, the town of Selmer saw entire neighborhoods wiped out by tornadoes with winds up to 160 mph, said Governor Bill Lee, who credited early warnings for saving lives as hundreds took shelter in a courthouse.

“We’ll rebuild, but this kind of devastation takes time,” Lee said Saturday.

Shipping, Safety, and Infrastructure at Risk

Meteorologists warned that the situation is also impacting national commerce, as major freight corridors including Louisville and Memphis face delays due to flooded railways and roads.

Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, noted the potential for supply chain disruptions: “These storms aren’t just a local crisis — they ripple through the national logistics network.”

Complicating matters, nearly half of National Weather Service field offices now operate with 20% staff shortages, a result of budget cuts and hiring freezes under Trump administration policies, according to a recent internal NWS memo obtained by the AP.

Ohio, Mississippi and More States Hit

In Ohio, rising rivers forced 70 road closures, especially in the southern half of the state, according to Governor Mike DeWine, who said moderate flooding is occurring at a scale not seen since 2020.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves reported at least 60 homes damaged in the state, while four Kentuckians were injured when they sought refuge under a church carport in Ballard County.

Why This Is Happening

Forecasters attribute the wave of violent weather to a “perfect storm” of factors: warm spring temperatures, strong wind shear, and heavy Gulf moisture. Combined, these conditions have created an environment for multiple overlapping storm systems and an elevated tornado risk.

A tornado near Blytheville, Arkansas, on Friday flung debris nearly 25,000 feet into the air, according to NWS meteorologist Chelly Amin, illustrating the power of the storms still sweeping across the region.

What’s Ahead?

The NWS office in Nashville offered a glimmer of hope in a Saturday morning post:

“The finish line is in sight!”

But forecasters cautioned that Saturday night and Sunday could still bring dangerous storms, and local authorities are urging residents to prepare for worsening conditions.