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Severe Storms and Flooding Leave 18 Dead Across South and Midwest

Rivers continue to rise as communities face catastrophic flooding, infrastructure damage, and ongoing rescue efforts in the wake of prolonged extreme weather.

WILSON CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 05: Water surrounds a home on April 05, 2025 in Wilson City, Missouri. Between 6 and 9 inches of rain have fallen around southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky, causing flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A boy looks out from a parking garage as two people on take a boat into the flood waters on April 6, 2025 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Frankfort was expected to experience record flooding as the Kentucky River continued to rise. Photo: Michael Swensen/Getty Images

Overview

  • At least 18 people have died, including 10 in Tennessee, as severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding devastate the South and Midwest.
  • Record-breaking rainfall has caused rivers to swell, with major flood stages expected in dozens of locations across multiple states.
  • Over 500 roads in Kentucky are closed due to flooding and mudslides, while key transportation hubs in Louisville and Memphis face disruptions.
  • Emergency services are conducting rescue operations and infrastructure repair, but recovery efforts are expected to take weeks or longer.
  • The National Weather Service attributes the extreme weather to a rare atmospheric setup, with climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of such events.