Flooding, Deadly Storms In Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama

At least nine people died as a massive storm system pounded the South with flooding and severe weather Saturday and Sunday, while snow and ice moved into the Northeast.

Most of those deaths occurred in Kentucky, where eight people died. In a news conference Sunday afternoon, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he expected the death toll there to rise. Many of the deadly incidents involved drivers and vehicle passengers swept away by floodwaters. A child was among those killed.

In Atlanta, Georgia, a man was killed when a tree fell on a home early Sunday.

Severe storms erupted amid ongoing flash flood emergencies in places like Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia Saturday. More than 67 million people remained under winter weather alerts Sunday as the storms pushed into Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

As powerful wind gusts hit areas already saturated by heavy rain and flash flooding, power outages surged. By Sunday morning more than 220,000 homes and businesses were without power in Georgia. In Alabama, nearly 160,000 customers had no electricity.

T​he storm system was named Winter Storm Jett by The Weather Channel. S​ocial media posts showed how the storms and suspected tornadoes tore apart homes and businesses in Tennessee and Alabama overnight.

More than 300 roads were closed across Kentucky on Sunday due to flooding and landslides. Gov. Beshear and other state safety officials urged people to stay off the roads. He said swift-water teams had rescued more than 1,000 people by Sunday afternoon. Beshear added that evacuations were continuing and President Donald Trump approved his request for an emergency disaster declaration for the state.

As much as six inches of rain fell and all 120 counties in the state were impacted, said state officials. Many of those areas were facing a fresh round of snow Sunday, worsening road conditions and making rescues and evacuations even more challenging.

In Tennessee, a flash flood emergency was issued Sunday afternoon in Obion County after a levee near the town of Rives, along the Obion River failed, triggering catastrophic flooding. The National Weather Service urged people in the area to get to higher ground immediately, warning that it was a life-threatening situation.

About 200 residents needed to be rescued, according to the Tipton County Fire Department, which sent a swift-water team to assist with rescues.

Read more detailed forecasts for the South here and the Northeast here.

Below are our live updates as the life-threatening weather unfolded Saturday:

(08:26 PM EST) What To Watch For Overnight

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

A squall line is set to sweep eastward across the South with damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes overnight. The main threat for cities like Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, is damaging wind gusts that will intensify as the night goes on. In areas where flooding occurred in the Tennessee Valley and Central Appalachians, gusty winds could take down trees and other structures as the squall line comes through. Have weather notifications turned on on your phone and weather radios. They could save your life tonight.

(08:08 PM EST) Don’t Fall Victim To Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With widespread power outages possible during extreme winter weather and cold, it’s important to beware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Extended power outages during a stretch of extreme cold in Texas in 2021 led to at least 11 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some 1,400 people were treated in medical facilities.

N​ever operate a portable generator inside or near any enclosed spaces, and never use a gas grill or similar equipment to heat your home. Also beware of running cars in a garage or carport – even just for a few minutes to charge your phone.

(07:59 PM EST) Here’s Who Should Be Ready For More Winter Weather Tomorrow

F​rom weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Winter Storm Jett will intensify as it moves through the Northeast on Sunday, bringing more snow to some that have already had snow from the storm in the Great Lakes. Rain and strong winds are also expected to punch through coastal areas. Gusts could be as strong as 60 mph from Raleigh to Philadelphia.

(07:45 PM EST) Beware The Threat Of Falling Trees After Or During Heavy Rain

S​oaking wet ground and flooding from heavy rainfall like we’ve seen today can raise the risk of falling trees, especially when severe weather with high winds or tornadoes moves in.

The National Weather Service tracks deaths from wind, but not specifically from falling trees. For that reason and others, the number of fatalities from falling trees is widely thought to be undercounted and the risk overlooked.

(07:30 PM EST) What To Do If You Get A Tornado Warning Plus A Flash Flood Warning

T​ornado warnings tonight could be issued in some areas already under a flash flood warning. When that happens, it’s important to act fast but also make smart decisions. Here’s advice from our meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

• I​f flooding isn’t imminent, or already happening, it’s still best to get to the lowest interior room of your home or building.
• I​f flooding is happening already, get to the lowest dry interior room or the one safest from water.
• N​ever stay in a mobile home or manufactured housing during severe weather warnings.

(07:13 PM EST) First Tornado Warnings Issued

As the danger in the South shifts more toward severe weather, we have the day’s first tornado warnings.

Two tornado warnings were issued minutes ago by the National Weather Service for parts of west Tennessee and Arkansas around Memphis.

(07:04 PM EST) Motorist Rescued From Flooded Roadway

Volunteer firefighters and sheriff’s deputies stepped in to help rescue a person from this vehicle in Warren County, Kentucky. The county includes the towns of Butler, Logan and Bowling Green and is about 100 miles southwest of Louisville.

(06:54 PM EST) Airport Delays Widespread

H​undreds of flights are canceled or delayed to or from airports in the South and East today, according to online tracker FlightAware.com. That includes:

• M​ore than 630 flights impacted at Chicago O’Hare.
• M​ore than 300 flights impacted at Charlotte/Douglas International.
• More than 200 flights at Boston Logan.
• ​More than 172 flights at Washington’s Reagan National.

(06:40 PM EST) When Will This Rain Ease Up?

F​rom weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

For much of today, the menace has been a sluggish warm front draped from Kentucky and Tennessee into the Virginias.

This warm front has been pushing moisture eastward as if the thunderstorms were on train tracks over and over again. That has added up to more than 5 inches of rain in some spots. It has taken all day, but this warm front is finally on its way northward into the Northeast.

This will turn off the faucet for much of the evening until a squall line sweeps through in the morning.

(06:25 PM EST) Floodwaters Bring Double Danger

Anyone unfortunate enough to be caught up in floodwaters may also have to deal with hypothermia, the National Weather Service warns.

Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees, and frigid water temperatures could result in a rapid onset.

S​igns of hypothermia include uncontrolled shivering, feeling cold and sluggish, having slurred speech, feeling disoriented or having trouble thinking clearly.

(06:11 PM EST) Rescues Underway In West Virginia

M​ultiple swift water rescues are being reported around the community of Princeton, West Virginia. The area is on the state line just north of Blacksburg, Virginia. Authorities say several waterways are overflowing their banks and numerous roads are impassable.

(06:10 PM EST) Why We Name Winter Storms

W​inter Storm Jett is the 10th of 11 named storms so far this winter season. Up next is Kingston, which has already been named and will start to cause problems early this week.

T​he Weather Channel names winter storms in order to bring awareness that we hope will help people plan for emergencies and stay safe.

(05:43 PM EST) Evacuations, Roads Closed As Water Reaches ‘Historic Levels’

K​entucky Gov. Andy Beshear says water is reaching ‘historic levels’ in the city of Elizabethtown, about 40 miles south of Louisville.

“Please stay off the roads and avoid high water,” Beshear said in a social media update. “There are multiple road closures from east to west.”

He noted at least one road was closed due to a landslide in Knott County, and homes were evacuated in Perry County. Both are in the eastern part of the state.

(05:33 PM EST) Map Shows Extent Of Flash Flooding

F​rom weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

This screen shot from NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center shows just how widespread this pounding rainfall is today. Each of the green dots is a flash flood report from the past two hours. The pins are debris flows.

(05:22 PM EST) Where Things Stand Right Now

S​now and freezing rain are falling from the Appalachians to the Northeast.

T​he heaviest precipitation is around the border between West Virginia and Virginia, into Pennsylvania and upstate New York.

W​inter Storm Jett will continue its trek toward the East and Northeast tonight into tomorrow.

(05:10 PM EST) Homes And Roads Are ‘Gone’ In Pike County, Kentucky

V​ideo posted to social media shows a swollen river in the eastern Kentucky community of Virgie.

T​he post notes: “The creek is usually 40-45 feet wide. Right now it’s probably 125 feet wide at least. Several roads are gone in the Virgie area along with many homes.”

(04:59 PM EST) A​irlines Waiving Change Fees

M​ajor airlines like Delta, Southwest and United are warning of travel delays through tomorrow at dozens of airports in cities including Boston, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, New York and Philadelphia.

T​ravelers should check with their airline for the latest updates and options to rebook.

(04:37 PM EST) Flashback To Catastrophic Kentucky Flooding

D​evastating floods hit parts of Kentucky in the summer of 2022, leaving at least 39 people dead, according to the National Weather Service.

We don’t expect this to be on that scale, but we do know there is the potential for life-threatening flooding through tonight.

H​ere’s a look back at some of our coverage from 2022:

(04:27 PM EST) What’s A Winter Storm Warning?

A​ winter storm warning means heavy snow is expected, along with the possibility of gusty winds and blowing snow, reduced visibility, dangerous road conditions and travel delays.

B​ut there’s a caveat: The criteria varies by location. The threshold for a winter storm warning is different in Montana than, say, Texas.

“The easiest way to think of this is that a 2-inch snowfall is a higher-impact event in Atlanta than in Chicago or a mountain location in the West,” weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce writes here.

(04:17 PM EST) Airport Delays Hit NYC Area

F​lights arriving at John F. Kennedy International airport are delayed for more than 90 minutes on average due to snow or ice, according to the FAA.

F​lights departing from Newark Liberty International are delayed by 15 minutes on average, also due to weather.

D​epartures from the U.S. to Toronto Pearson International are seeing average delays of more than two hours.

(04:05 PM EST) Emergencies Declared In New York, Kentucky

N​ew York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an emergency, citing the potential for ice, snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds that could cause travel disruptions, widespread power outages and other damage.

I​n Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the rain and flooding hitting the state today.

(03:56 PM EST) February Is Winter’s September

J​ust like September is the typical peak of hurricane season, this month is prime time for winter storms.

W​inter storm season stretches from fall through spring, but more happen in February than any other month.

Read weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman’s take on it here.

(03:52 PM EST) Virginia Struggling With Power Outages From Previous Storm

About 25,000 homes, businesses and other utility customers are without power in Virginia, but not from today’s weather. Those outages are left from Winter Storm Harlow, which moved through earlier this week as part of the parade of storms pummeling the U.S.

(03:42 PM EST) Roads Submerged In Water In Kentucky

A photo shared to social media shows a vehicle underwater near Bowling Green, about halfway between Louisville, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee.

(03:19 PM EST) More Water Rescues Likely

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

Long-duration heavy rainfall combined with hilly to mountainous terrain is expected to put too much water in rivers and tributaries from the Ohio River to the Tennessee Valley through this evening. This has already resulted in some water rescues in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The best thing you can do today is find an interior dry safe spot in a sturdy structure and hunker down there with some non-electronic entertainment for your family.

Please do not drive through flooded areas for any reason. We don’t want to be reporting your rescue or recovery.

Flooding may continue into the next few days in some areas and may even rise after the rains stop this weekend as water moves downriver.

(03:01 PM EST) What To Do If Power Goes Out

Strong winds and a blast of cold arctic air could spell disaster for trees and power lines as Winter Storm Jett moves northward. That means the time to prepare for heat and power outages is now.

Before An Outage:

• Charge phones and laptops

During An Outage

• Put towels in front of any drafts

• Layer up with jackets and blankets

• Be careful with candles, and never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home

• Leave one lamp on so you’ll know when the power comes back

Like to be extra prepared? Check out these tips from a professional survival expert.

(02:44 PM EST) Snow, Sleet Hit Pennsylvania

A wintry mix of snow and sleet is falling across central Pennsylvania, making roads slick and hazardous. With up to three inches of accumulation expected, the National Weather Service is urging drivers to use caution on icy roads.

(02:38 PM EST) Tennessee Residents Urged To Seek Higher Ground

The National Weather Service isn’t mincing words in its latest Flash Flood Warning for parts of Middle Tennessee. Heavy rain is causing dangerous flooding, which can be seen on radar. Up to three more inches is still expected.

Residents of the following counties are being urged to stay alert and seek higher ground immediately:

Cheatham County

Northwestern Davidson County

Dickson County

Houston County

Humphreys County

Southern Montgomery County

Southern Robertson County

West Central Sumner County

(02:24 PM EST) What To Expect As System Moves Northeast

From weather.com digital meteorologist Briana Waxman:

Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible through Sunday evening from the southern Appalachian mountains up through Washington, D.C., Boston and northern New York. These high winds are expected because this area of low pressure will intensify at a rapid rate, a process meteorologists call bombogenesis. This increases the difference in pressure between the storm and cold high pressure over the Canadian and U.S. Plains. More pressure difference means stronger winds in a “bomb cyclone.”

(02:11 PM EST) Rain Contributes To At Least Two Landslides

A landslide triggered by heavy rain from Winter Storm Jett has partially blocked the West Kentucky Parkway, creating hazardous travel conditions.

A separate slide, reported by police in West Virginia, came crashing down in a park. Officials believe it is still unstable as more rain threatens to worsen the situation.

(02:02 PM EST) Why ‘High Risk’ Flood Forecasts Are A Big Deal

When meteorologists issue a “High Risk” for flooding, it means destructive and potentially deadly flooding – not just a rainy day.

Nearly half of these types of forecasts result in flood-related deaths or injuries, and they account for more than $72.8 billion in damage over the last 15 years.

“High risk” forecasts often mean floodwaters are expected to rise in places you’ve never seen flooding before – your commute, your yard, even inside your home.

If you’re in a “High Risk” flood area: Stay alert, avoid travel and never drive through flooded roads (two-thirds of flash flood deaths happen in vehicles).

Dive deeper into these types of flood forecasts here.

(01:51 PM EST) Virginia National Guard Called Up

The Governor of Virginia has deployed the National Guard to assist with flash flooding due to heavy rain in the southwestern part of the state.

(01:38 PM EST) Waters Rising Quickly In Tennessee

Video from East Tennessee shows flood waters rising and threatening homes.

Flash flood warnings remain in effect for several Tennessee counties as heavy rain continues to pound the region.

(01:25 PM EST) Forecast: Flooding and Severe Weather Expected Today

From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:

The southern, warmer section of Winter Storm Jett is getting organized across the South this afternoon. This organization will amplify the pull of moisture from the Gulf into the storm and also increase the severe weather threat this evening. By this evening, flooding is likely going to be ongoing across the mid-South while a squall line develops from Tennessee to Louisiana. That squall line will bring destructive wind gusts and several tornadoes to the South into the overnight hours.

(01:12 PM EST) Same System, Very Different Outcome

Parts of the Midwest are seeing heavy snow from the same storm dropping excess rain to the East.

Take a look at current conditions in Chicago, where multiple waves of snow are expected through Sunday.

(01:06 PM EST) Navigating Flood Alerts

As states like Tennessee and Kentucky look out for dangerous flooding today, here is a quick cheat sheet for understanding flood alerts:

Particularly Dangerous Situation Flood Watch = Widespread significant flooding is possible

Flood Warning = Water is rising; There is a threat to life and property

Flash Flood Emergency = Life-threatening flooding is occurring or is imminent

A​ll three have either already been issued or have potential to be issued for parts of the U.S. throughout the day and into tonight.

(12:59 PM EST) Serious Flooding Begins In Kentucky

Alarming visuals are starting to emerge from parts of Kentucky, where heavy, inundating rain has begun to wash out roads.

In Corbin, Kentucky, police are out blocking the streets after at least one car was stuck in floodwaters.

Near the Tennessee border, in Guthrie, Kentucky, footage shows rushing waters overtaking streets and yards.