Emergency water rescue teams have been dispatched to regions affected by torrential downpours as a severe storm sweeps through the eastern United States early Sunday. This storm poses risks of life-threatening flooding and potentially destructive tornadoes.

Stunning video clips from various states depict toppled trees, cars submerged in water, and homes overwhelmed by floodwaters.

In Kentucky, officials report that water levels are already at record heights as the storm intensified over the weekend. This comes just two years after devastating floods resulted in 43 fatalities and significant destruction across the state.

“Our first responders have conducted nearly 30 water rescues and the count is still rising,” the Louisville Metro Police Department announced in a recent Facebook update. Rescue teams were observed in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, assisting a motorist trapped in a partially submerged vehicle.

Numerous areas in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee are currently under flash flood alerts and warnings extending through Sunday morning, with some regions likely facing flood watches into Monday.

Tornado warnings were also issued late Saturday across parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.

As of early Sunday, over 150,000 users in Alabama, nearly 60,000 in Mississippi, and more than 32,000 in Louisiana were experiencing power outages, as reported by PowerOutage.us. In addition, over 35,000 customers across Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia were left without electricity.

Tragically, at least one fatality has been confirmed—a 73-year-old man from Manchester, Kentucky, lost his life after being swept away by floodwaters Saturday night. The individual reportedly became trapped while attempting to cross Kentucky Highway 8, as stated by the Clay County Coroner’s Office.

The man exited his vehicle during the flooding and was swept away by the strong currents, the coroner’s office informed CNN.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to continue into Sunday morning, with damaging winds predicted from Florida through the Mid-Atlantic region.

While the storm—which has also caused flooding in parts of California—is expected to subside by Monday, areas around the Great Lakes may experience lake-effect snow as a consequence, along with strong wind gusts and possible tornado activity.

Extreme Flash Flood Event: A Rare but Devastating Danger

A significant level 4-of-4 flood risk has been issued for over 1.5 million individuals in northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky, where “dangerous and considerable flooding” is forecasted, according to the Weather Prediction Center.

Such alerts are declared on fewer than 4% of days each year, yet they account for over 80% of flood-related damages and 40% of flood-related deaths, as indicated by findings from the WPC.

This heightened threat is due to an unprecedented atmospheric setup for mid-February, which may lead to rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the most intense storms, according to the center. In high-risk areas, total rainfall could accumulate to half a foot, with heavier showers potentially stalling over these regions.

Given that almost no area can absorb such a large volume of rain without flooding, the situation is exacerbated by recent storms that have already saturated the ground.

Over 500 miles stretched from eastern Arkansas to West Virginia, with a level 3 out of 4 risk of flooding rainfall as noted by the center.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared an emergency in ten counties and a state of preparedness across all 55 counties on Saturday. Meanwhile, the National Guard has been mobilized in Virginia to support recovery efforts.

By Saturday afternoon, many streets in Kentucky were already under several inches of water, with some regions receiving 2 to 4 inches of rain. The prognosis indicates that water levels will keep rising into the evening.

In Jackson, serious flooding led to overflow at the 75-acre Panbowl Lake, prompting urgent evacuation efforts for the area and critical facilities like homes for the aged and hospitals, according to officials late Saturday.

In Whitesburg, residents from Letcher Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility were temporarily relocated to a nearby high school. “We will inform each family individually as transport is arranged for their loved ones,” the nursing home stated in a Facebook post.

Floodwaters infiltrated the roadways in multiple towns throughout Simpson County, Kentucky. Additionally, numerous roads were reported closed in Adair County due to floods, as stated by emergency management authorities.

Reflecting on the severe floods that devastated his home in late 2022, Knott County resident Danny Laferty expressed his anxiety, fearing he might “lose everything once more.”

“It was horrific, terrible. We had mud six inches deep in here,” Laferty recounted to CNN on Saturday. “That thought makes me so anxious.”

Contributors to this report include CNN’s Kia Fatahi, Jennifer Feldman, and Taylor Galgano.

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