Life-threatening flash flooding has caused evacuations and water rescues in parts of the South, according to reports from CNN. The worst of the flooding occurred in western Kentucky and Tennessee, where multiple flash flood emergencies were declared. The National Weather Service in Memphis even referred to the situation as a “particularly dangerous situation”, urging residents in Union City, Tennessee to seek higher ground immediately.
In Union City, rising floodwaters forced residents of the Green Acres Mobile Home Park, the Davy Crockett Senior Center, and some area homes to evacuate. Nine to 11 inches of rain fell in parts of the area on Thursday night into Friday. Similar situations were reported in Fulton County, Kentucky, where numerous roadways were flooded after 11 inches of rain near Hickman.
The city of Oneonta, located northeast of Birmingham, Alabama, also experienced heavy rainfall and flooding. Many roads in Oneonta were covered with water, with multiple roadways dangerously flooded. Four people were rescued in Oneonta after attempting to drive through the flooded roadways.
The excessive rainfall and flooding were caused by training storms, where multiple storms move over the same area one after another. This leads to a rapid accumulation of rainfall and a higher risk of dangerous flooding. Rainfall rates reached 2 to 3 inches per hour at times, overwhelming drainage systems and causing flash flooding.
While the heavy downpours have subsided, any additional rainfall could reignite flooding in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. The National Weather Service is advising residents to stay cautious and prepared for potential flooding events as the weekend approaches.