Severe winter storms battered the US over the weekend, with torrential rains triggering devastating floods in Kentucky, resulting in at least two deaths. A 73-year-old man was found dead in Clay County, and a youth reportedly died in Hart County while another person remains missing. Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency, warning of flash flooding and requesting federal assistance.
Rising waters forced evacuations, submerged vehicles, and blocked roads, while the Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson temporarily shut its emergency department. The National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents to avoid travel as floodwaters reached dangerous levels across Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Northern Plains gripped by life-threatening cold
A polar vortex pushed Arctic air deep into the Northern Plains, bringing wind chills of -40°F to -50°F (-40°C to -45.6°C) in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions threatened New England and New York, where some areas could see over a foot of snow. Sleet and ice accumulation were expected to worsen road conditions and cause power outages.
Tornadoes and storms strike the South
Severe thunderstorms swept through Georgia and Florida, prompting tornado watches and damaging winds. The NWS warned of additional storms through Sunday.
California faces mudslides after record storm
In California, recent heavy rains triggered rock and mudslides in Sierra Madre, trapping vehicles and damaging homes. In the Sierra Nevada, a massive snowstorm buried Mammoth Mountain under six feet of snow, leading to an avalanche that seriously injured a ski patrol worker.
As the nation faces this wave of extreme weather, officials continue rescue efforts and warn residents to remain vigilant.