More Torrential Rain And Flash Flooding Expected In Waterlogged South And Midwest

The National Weather Service said 45 river locations in multiple states were expected to reach major flood stage, with extensive flooding of structures, and roads.

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding was coming Saturday for parts of the South and Midwest already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that in some cases spawned deadly tornadoes.

Round after round of heavy rains have pounded the central U.S., leading to rapidly rising waterways and prompting a series of flash flood emergencies Friday night in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas. The National Weather Service said 45 river locations in multiple states were expected to reach major flood stage, with extensive flooding of structures, roads and other critical infrastructure possible.

Meanwhile, many communities were still reeling from tornadoes that destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed at least seven people, and the weather service warned that more twisters were possible in places this weekend. A 9-year-old boy was swept away in flooding and killed on Friday, Kentucky’s governor said.

And interstate commerce is affected — the extreme flooding across a corridor that includes Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis — which have major cargo hubs — could also lead to shipping and supply chain delays, said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather.

The outburst comes at a time when nearly half of NWS forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates after Trump administration job cuts — twice that of just a decade ago.