A dayslong deluge of rain finally subsided across the South and Midwest on Monday, but, like the extensive flooding that followed, the danger for many communities will be slow to recede. “As long as I’ve been alive — and I’m 52 — this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Wendy Quire, the general manager of the Brown Barrel restaurant in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky, told The Associated Press. Floodwaters inundated communities across a broad swath of the central US on Sunday and Monday, the result of days of rain from storms that claimed at least 25 lives since the middle of last week. Rivers are still on the rise in several flood-ravaged states. A half dozen states have rivers at “major flood” stage, according to the National Weather Service. Twenty-one measurement points along rivers in the Midwest and South are at major flood stage, and that number is forecast to roughly double in coming days. Most of the major flood points are in Kentucky. The Kentucky River crested in the state capital of Frankfort Monday morning just shy of the city’s protective flood walls. “It’s good to be able to come out this morning and it not be raining. We’re thankful for that, but we’re still dealing with water rising,” said John Ward, sheriff of Kentucky’s Hardin County, which is south of Louisville on a bend in the Ohio River. “I’ve seen homes underwater that have never had water. I don’t think people were ready,” Ward told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Monday morning. Over a foot of rain fell from Wednesday through Sunday across the mid-South where some locations – including Memphis, Tennessee – recorded nearly an entire spring’s worth of rain in just a few days. The rain was dumped by destructive storms that also produced tornadoes across the central US. The weather service has rated at least 88 tornadoes since the storms began, with six rated as EF3 strength. The storms have left at least 25 people dead across seven states, including 10 in Tennessee. Among them are a 5-year-old boy found in a storm-damaged home in Arkansas and a 9-year-old Kentucky boy who was swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop. On Sunday, a father and son were killed on a Georgia golf course when the tree they were sheltering under during high winds fell, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan told CNN. “Remember, this event is not over until the waters have receded, until the areas that have flooded are fully dry, until we don’t have saturated ground that could create mudslides over roads and bridges,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday. In several parts of Kentucky, the intense flooding has endangered the local water supply. The Frankfort Plant Board announced Sunday it had turned off the electrical equipment used to pump water from the river and asked customers to “ration their water usage.” And in Harrodsburg, water pumps were turned off overnight as flood levels came close to the city’s “raw water station.” Now, “we are using stored water and the supply is limited,” reads a Facebook post from the city. Floodwaters devastate swath of Kentucky The widespread flooding triggered evacuations, water rescues and warnings to move to higher ground across the Bluegrass State. Many people are still in harm’s way as others start to dig out of the muck, but a dramatic return to winter-like chill early this week poses another complicating factor. In Frankfort, the Kentucky River crested at its second-highest level on record Monday morning, just shy of 1978’s devastating flooding and worryingly close to what the city’s flood protections can handle. Parts of the city still endured extensive flooding despite the major flood protections holding. Buffalo Trace Distillery, which prides itself on being one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the US, was also impacted by flooding in Frankfort from the Kentucky River, a spokesperson said. The distillery will be closed until at least Thursday and damage assessments can’t be performed until “the facilities become safe to navigate,” the spokesperson added. In Prospect, along the Ohio River, the owners of Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille responded to the incursion of dirty river water by deliberately flooding the restaurant with fresh water, keeping most of the silt and debris out. In a Facebook video, co-owner Andrew Masterson explained that when the flood recedes, it would be easier to clean up damage from clean water than river water. “It is a huge interruption to our business. It’s a significant cost, but we know it comes with the territory of being on the river,” Masterson told CNN on Monday. Water rescues were carried out Sunday near Colesburg, about 30 miles south of Louisville, the county sheriff reported, as waters rose rapidly in the Rolling Fork River. Drone footage of nearby New Haven shows the aftermath of the river bursting its banks, flooding properties on the town’s main street with brown water. As the road leads out of town, it takes on the appearance of a causeway, fields hidden under vast quantities of water. So many roads across Kentucky were impassable due to flooding over the weekend that the state ran out of road-closing barriers, the Hardin County sheriff said. Farther east, footage from Wilmore shows a line of homes fully surrounded by water – some with the water right up to their rooflines. Red inflatable boats are seen moving around the neighborhood on floodwaters. The Ohio River, which runs through Louisville, rose more than 5 feet in 24 hours and is expected to rise significantly higher over the next few days, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday. Flooding also plagued parts of Ohio. Emergency crews rescued a woman without a home who woke up surrounded by water in downtown Cincinnati early Sunday, CNN affiliate WKRC reported. Later that day, another rescue was made after a driver ignored road closure signs by a former amusement park in the city. The driver was not injured but had to be rescued from their almost completely submerged vehicle, police told CNN affiliate WLWT. CNN reached out to the Cincinnati Police Department for comment. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders took an aerial tour in northern Arkansas on Monday, where tornadoes and flooding came on the heels of dry, windy weather that sparked nearly 100 wildfires. “If there has been a natural disaster event, it has happened here in the last month,” she said. The City of Clarksville and Montgomery County issued a joint local state of emergency after more than 118 residential properties and 14 commercial properties were impacted by flooding, with a third of reported damages classified as major. Severe storms along the southeast coast Monday also caused snarls for travelers, with nearly 7,000 flights within, into, or out of the US delayed Monday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport was the hardest-hit, with more than 50% of flights delayed as of the evening.
Flood-weary residents face rising rivers despite rain finally stopping in central and southern US
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Severe Flooding Continues to Threaten Communities in Central and Southern US After Recent Rainfall"
CNN
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
After a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, the downpour finally ceased across the South and Midwest on Monday. However, the severe flooding that ensued presents ongoing dangers for many communities. Wendy Quire, the general manager of the Brown Barrel restaurant in Frankfort, Kentucky, described the situation as the worst she has seen in her 52 years. The relentless storms, which have claimed at least 25 lives since last week, caused rivers to swell dangerously. As reported by the National Weather Service, several states are experiencing rivers at 'major flood' stages, with the number of flood points expected to double in the coming days, particularly in Kentucky. The Kentucky River nearly overtopped its flood walls in Frankfort, prompting local officials to express concern over rising water levels. Sheriff John Ward noted that homes previously safe from flooding are now inundated, indicating that many were unprepared for such an event. The storms not only brought heavy rains but also spawned a number of tornadoes across the region, contributing to the devastating impact on communities.
The aftermath of the flooding has led to significant challenges, including water supply issues in several Kentucky cities. The Frankfort Plant Board had to shut down pumping operations from the river due to the flooding, urging residents to conserve water. In addition, evacuations and rescues have become common as many areas remain submerged. Reports detail extensive flooding in towns, with some homes surrounded by water and roads rendered impassable. The Ohio River's rapid rise is expected to worsen, with emergency services conducting rescues as more residents find themselves in perilous situations. As the region grapples with the consequences of these storms, officials emphasize that the crisis is not over until the waters recede completely. The impact of the flooding extends to businesses, with establishments like Buffalo Trace Distillery temporarily closing and assessing damage. Overall, the situation remains precarious as communities begin to recover from this unprecedented weather event, with additional complications anticipated from an impending cold snap.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The news article highlights the aftermath of severe flooding in the central and southern regions of the United States, where recent heavy rainfall has led to significant damage and loss of life. The focus is on the experiences of residents coping with rising waters and the ongoing threat of flooding, despite the rain finally subsiding.
Community Impact and Sentiment
The article captures the emotional and physical toll on communities affected by the floods. Personal testimonies from individuals like Wendy Quire and Sheriff John Ward illustrate the unprecedented nature of the flooding, indicating that many residents feel unprepared and overwhelmed. This emotional appeal is likely intended to foster empathy and raise awareness about the severity of the situation.
Public Awareness and Safety Concerns
By detailing the extent of the flooding and the rising river levels, the article aims to inform the public about ongoing dangers. The mention of specific statistics, such as the number of fatalities and the classification of rivers at "major flood" stage, serves to emphasize the urgency of the situation. It encourages readers to remain vigilant, potentially motivating community support and preparedness efforts.
Transparency and Information
While the article appears to provide factual information, there may be underlying narratives that could be scrutinized. The focus on personal stories could overshadow broader systemic issues, such as infrastructure inadequacies or climate change, which may also contribute to such extreme weather events. This could lead to a perception that the coverage is somewhat selective, emphasizing immediate human experiences while downplaying the larger context.
Comparative Context
This coverage aligns with other recent reports on extreme weather events across the country, suggesting a pattern of increasing frequency and intensity of such phenomena. The interconnectedness of climate-related disasters could be an implicit theme, linking this flooding to broader discussions about climate change and environmental policy.
Potential Societal and Economic Effects
The aftermath of this flooding could have significant repercussions for local economies, particularly in affected areas like Kentucky. Businesses may struggle to recover, and the emotional distress experienced by residents could impact community cohesion. Politically, this situation could prompt discussions about disaster preparedness and infrastructure investment, potentially influencing future policies.
Target Audience and Support
The article likely appeals to a broad audience, particularly those living in or near the affected areas. It seeks to resonate with communities experiencing similar weather-related challenges, thus fostering a sense of shared experience and solidarity.
Market Impact
The news about severe flooding can influence markets, particularly in sectors related to insurance, construction, and emergency services. Companies involved in disaster recovery and infrastructure may see shifts in stock performance based on public sentiment and the anticipated need for rebuilding efforts.
Global Context
While this specific event may not dramatically alter global power dynamics, it reflects ongoing challenges posed by climate change that affect nations worldwide. The increasing frequency of natural disasters could influence international discussions on climate policy and humanitarian aid.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no direct evidence that AI was used in the writing of this article, but it is possible that AI tools were employed in data analysis or information gathering. If AI were involved, it could have influenced the presentation of statistics and the framing of the narrative to emphasize urgency and human impact.
In conclusion, the article is credible in its reporting of facts and personal testimonies but may selectively highlight certain aspects, potentially omitting broader systemic issues. This could influence public perception, emphasizing the need for community resilience while possibly neglecting discussions of long-term solutions to climate-related challenges.