At least nine people have died as torrential rains caused severe flooding across the southeastern US over the weekend. Kentucky suffered the most fatalities, with Governor Andy Beshear confirming eight deaths, while Georgia recorded one after a falling tree crushed a man in his home.
Thousands were rescued from rising waters, and over half a million households lost power across Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Emergency officials warned that river levels would continue rising, worsening the crisis.
President Donald Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration, enabling federal aid. Meanwhile, Tennessee and West Virginia declared states of emergency, as meteorologists warned of further severe weather, including a polar vortex expected to bring freezing temperatures.
