Communities across the Tennessee Valley are in crisis mode after devastating flash floods over the weekend left widespread destruction and at least 17 people dead. Now, as recovery efforts continue, officials are bracing for another challenge—a powerful winter storm expected to hit the region soon.
In Kentucky, the flooding claimed 14 lives, while in West Virginia, officials confirmed that two people died, and another is still missing. Among the victims were Donald and Debbie Griffin from Welch, West Virginia, according to Governor Patrick Morrisey. Tragedy struck again with the loss of a firefighter in McDowell County, though details on the incident have not yet been released.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged residents to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers as emergency crews continue search-and-rescue operations. “We are still in the search-and-rescue phase,” Beshear said. “Please stay safe and check on vulnerable family and friends.”
Some of the latest deaths were caused by hypothermia, including a man and a woman in Jefferson County. Officials say more than 1,200 rescues have taken place so far, including a massive operation to save over 200 people stranded in a Martin County apartment complex. Boats and helicopters were needed to get everyone to safety, and the rescue mission took more than a day to complete.
The Kentucky National Guard is working alongside other emergency teams, with 175 soldiers and airmen assisting in recovery efforts, including help from the Indiana National Guard.
The flooding has taken a serious toll on Kentucky’s infrastructure, with roads in nearly all of the state’s 120 counties impacted. At least 344 state highways have been shut down due to flooding, while mudslides and rockslides have closed additional roads. The hardest-hit areas stretch from Paducah in western Kentucky to Pikeville in the east.
“We have about 2,300 Department of Highways workers focused on restoring roads and keeping people safe,” said Jim Gray, Secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
While crews work around the clock to repair roads and monitor flood levels, they’re also preparing for a snowstorm expected to complicate recovery efforts starting Tuesday night. Teams will begin wellness checks on residents, and loved ones can report missing family members through the state website.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 4,000 Kentuckians were still without power, and the incoming winter storm could make matters worse. Governor Beshear called it “a snowstorm in the middle of a national disaster.”
The storm is expected to start in the Plains and Midwest before moving into the Tennessee Valley, picking up speed as it reaches the Ohio and Tennessee valleys Tuesday night into Wednesday. While this could slightly lower snow totals, officials still expect a major impact.
Heavy snow is expected from late Tuesday night through early Wednesday, making travel extremely dangerous, if not impossible, for several hours. Snowfall rates could be too high for road crews to keep up.
By Wednesday evening, the snow should clear out east of the Appalachians. The heaviest snow—around 5-8 inches—is expected from Paducah to Lexington, while Nashville will likely see 1-3 inches.
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for most of Kentucky, as well as parts of western and northern Tennessee. Winter Weather Advisories are also in place across the region as officials urge residents to prepare for yet another round of extreme weather.
