At least nine dead in US floods and heavy rain

Severe rainstorms struck the southeastern United States over the weekend, flooding roads and homes in many areas and causing at least nine deaths. The severe weather has significantly impacted several states, including Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama, and rescue efforts are underway.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated in a press conference on Sunday that eight people had died in the state, suggesting that the death toll may rise. Hundreds of people are trapped in the floods, many inside their cars, and rescuers are working tirelessly to save them. Governor Beshear warned residents to "stay off the roads right now and stay alive." Georgia recorded its ninth death when a man was killed in his sleep by a tree uprooted and toppled by the storms.

Kentucky has been the hardest hit, with a mother and her seven-year-old child, as well as a 73-year-old man, tragically losing their lives. Some parts of the state received up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain, leading to widespread flooding. The rapid increase in rainfall caused river levels to rise quickly, and online images showed many vehicles trapped in several feet of water. Governor Beshear stated on social media that over 300 roads have been closed.

Governor Beshear has sent a letter to the White House requesting an emergency disaster declaration and federal funding for the affected areas. According to BBC's partner CBS, the U.S. President approved the declaration on Sunday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Officials have warned that the worst of the flooding is not yet over. Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson said on Sunday, "The rivers are still rising." National Weather Service (NWS) senior forecaster Bob Oravec said, "The impacts are going to continue for a while, with a lot of streams swollen and flooding ongoing."

In Obion County, Tennessee, heavy rainfall caused a levee to breach, "causing a rapidly developing flash flood," the local National Weather Service posted on social media. "If you are in this area, move to higher ground immediately! This is a life-threatening situation," the post read. Obion County Mayor Steve Carr declared a state of emergency on social media, stating that residents of the town of Rives would be forcibly evacuated due to "life-threatening situations due to rising water, no power and freezing temperatures." West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for 10 counties in the state on Saturday and added 3 more counties on Sunday. Homeland Security advisor Chris Nolen said she had contacted the governors of Kentucky and West Virginia and left messages for the governors of Tennessee and Alabama. Meteorologists are also warning that a polar vortex will move into the north-central Rockies and northern Plains of the U.S. earlier this week. In Colorado, temperatures could drop to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), and the city of Denver has reportedly opened shelters for its homeless population this weekend.