Authorities said the rescue team had a record heavy rain and flash floods in Tennessee on Monday, killing at least 21 people, cars were washed into ditches, houses and buildings were washed away, and dozens of people are believed to be missing.
A dispatcher from the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the number of victims on Sunday and set the number of missing to more than 50 when rescuers conducted house-to-house searches in the area.
The Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency listed the names of 26 missing persons on social media and asked residents if they had contact with any of them.
A spokesperson for the county could not be reached immediately on Monday.
Tennessee Governor and Republican Bill Lee said at a press conference on Sunday evening that after a preliminary assessment, he will request emergency assistance from the federal government in the next few days.
“In tragic and difficult circumstances, this situation is still happening now,” Li said.
This was a devastating flood, which caused a huge loss of life.
President Joe Biden told the media on Sunday, “I want to first express my deepest condolences for the sudden and tragic loss of life”, adding that Federal Emergency Affairs officials will coordinate with the state government to “provide what they need for this terrible moment. Any assistance.” “
A record rain of up to 17 inches (43 cm) flooded some areas, causing massive flooding on Saturday afternoon and evening. The worst hit was the town of Waverley, about 55 miles (88 kilometers) west of Nashville. Hundreds of houses are uninhabitable.
The Mayor of Waverley, Wallace Fraser, told Tennessee newspapers that the ages of those killed in the flood ranged from infants to elderly people. The Washington Post quoted family members as saying that the 7-month-old twins died after being taken away from their parents.
