Historic Flooding Devastates Central U.S., Leaving 23 Dead

Rising rivers and lingering floodwaters threaten communities across multiple states, with recovery efforts hampered by freezing temperatures and aging infrastructure.

An atmospheric river brought over 15 inches of rain to the South and Midwest, causing catastrophic flooding and claiming at least 23 lives across seven states.
Major rivers, including the Ohio, remain at near-record levels, with some areas expected to stay underwater for weeks as floodwaters slowly recede.
Emergency declarations are active in several states, with National Guard deployments, evacuations, and rescue operations underway to assist affected communities.
Aging flood control systems and infrastructure have been overwhelmed, exposing vulnerabilities as the economic damage is estimated between $80 billion and $90 billion.
The National Weather Service issued lifesaving warnings despite staffing challenges, highlighting the increasing challenges of forecasting extreme weather linked to climate change.

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