On Saturday, catastrophic floods in central Tennessee killed at least 8 people and dozens of others were missing. The rain washed away houses and country roads.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told the news media that at least 30 people were reported missing. According to a report from Tennessee, the county is located about 96 kilometers west of Nashville, with rainfall exceeding 38 cm, causing water rescues, road closures and communication interruptions.
National Weather Service meteorologist Krissy Hurley told the newspaper that the area received “20% to 25% of the area’s total rainfall in a year” in a single morning.
Henry upgraded to a hurricane, and parts of the east coast of the United States are under flood monitoring
She said cities in Humphreys County, such as Waverly and McEwan, are facing a “terrible catastrophic situation.” “People are trapped at home and there is no way to escape.”
The Waverleys, 48-year-old Cindy Dunn, and her 49-year-old husband, Jimmy, were rescued from the attic by a staff member. They found them with a bulldozer.
“Hell. This is what we have to go through,” Cindy Dunn said.
She told Tennessee her husband to wake her up on Saturday and told her that the flood had pushed her car into their backyard. Eventually, the water in their house rose to at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, forcing them to climb to the attic. Dunn said that the roof is not an option.
“My husband is treating for cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy. And I am an amputee. So there is nowhere else but the attic,” Dunn said.
Dunn said that their home and neighboring houses “have disappeared.”
Hickman County’s chief deputy Rob Edwards said in a text message to the newspaper that several people were missing and cell phone service throughout the county was interrupted.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee wrote on Twitter on Saturday: “Tennessee, please be cautious about the rising floods caused by heavy rains in parts of central Tennessee. We are actively cooperating with emergency response officials and first responders, Because they provide support to Tennessees in flooded areas.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated its emergency operations center and stated that agencies including the Tennessee National Guard, State Highway Patrol, and Fire Mutual Aid Society are responding to the flood. In an announcement, TEMA called the situation “dangerous and evolving” and urged people to avoid traveling to affected counties.
On Saturday night, flash flood warnings were issued in parts of Dixon, Houston, Montgomery and Stewart counties.
© 2021 Canadian Press
