Deadly Storms in the Midwest and South

Written by: Keya Gambhir

Last week, a huge and dangerous storm moved through the central and southeastern parts of the United States. It brought a lot of rain, strong winds, flooding, and even tornadoes to 19 different states. Sadly, at least 23 people died, and many towns are now trying to fix the damage.

What Caused the Storm?

The storm happened because warm air, lots of moisture (water in the air), strong winds, and an unstable atmosphere all came together. This created a powerful weather system that moved slowly across the country. States like Texas, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee were hit the hardest.

Warm air can hold more water, and when it meets cooler air, it can cause heavy rain. That’s exactly what happened in this storm.

Lots of Rain and Flooding

Some places got more than 15 inches of rain in just a few days, more than they usually get in a whole month! In Memphis, Tennessee, it was the rainiest April day ever. The ground couldn’t soak up all the water, so rivers and streams overflowed and caused flooding.

In places like Frankfort and Shelbyville, Kentucky, people had to leave their homes because the water got so high. In Frankfort, the river came very close to going over the city’s flood wall.

The Water Kept Rising

Even after the rain slowed down, many rivers were still flooding. In Kentucky, some homes that had never flooded before were underwater. The governor warned people to stay careful until the water goes down. In one city, people were told to use less water because the flood had shut off water pumps.

Tornadoes and Other Damage

Along with the rain, there were also at least 60 tornadoes! A few of them were very strong. A tornado destroyed a car repair shop in Arkansas. In Illinois, one tornado came very close to a woman’s house, just 100 feet away!

In Arkansas, a train came off the tracks because the flood had washed them away. In Kentucky, oil and fuel spilled near a school after floodwater reached a truck garage.

Helping Each Other

In Kentucky, many places were damaged. Some businesses had to close, and roads were blocked. Rescue boats were used to help people who were stuck in their homes. In some towns, people worked together to help their neighbors. In one place, people helped an elderly woman move her things to safety, even though they didn’t know her. In another town, even people in jail helped fill sandbags to stop the water.

People Who Were Lost

Sadly, at least 23 people died in the storm. In Tennessee, 10 people lost their lives. Some of the victims were children, like a 9-year-old boy in Kentucky and a 5-year-old in Arkansas. In Georgia, a father and son died when a tree fell on them during the storm. Some rescue workers also died while trying to help others.

These stories show how important it is to take weather warnings seriously.

Trouble with Travel and Events

The storm also caused problems with travel. Over 4,000 flights were delayed. A big golf tournament in Georgia had to delay its practice rounds. Some courts and government offices in Kentucky were closed too.

What’s Next?

By Tuesday, the storm started moving away, but the problems it caused will take time to fix. Some areas are still flooding, and now colder weather is making things harder.

Experts say big storms like this might happen more often because of climate change. Warmer air means more rain can fall during storms.

This storm shows how serious weather can be. It’s important to listen to emergency warnings and be ready with a plan. But even during tough times, people showed kindness and helped each other. Thanks to first responders and caring neighbors, the road to recovery has already begun.