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At least one person was killed as severe rainstorms and flash flooding overwhelmed several southern states on Saturday — leaving millions preparing for the worst.
Parts of Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia were experiencing torrential downpours as Winter Storm Jett pounded the states — with over 128 million people under weather alerts, according to The Weather Channel.
The anticipated downpour was dubbed a “major, potentially historic, flash flood event” by the National Weather Service.
In Kentucky, a 73-year-old man died in Clay County when his vehicle was swept away by the floods, according to local authorities.
That still-unidentified man was swept away on Highway 80 while exiting his already nature-thrown vehicle, officials said.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear preemptively declared a state of emergency — as flash floods were expected to continue hitting the Bluegrass State on Sunday.
“We want everyone to be careful. The amount of rain coming down will make it hard to drive, and flash flooding, especially across our roads, can create dangerous conditions, Beshear said in a statement, adding, “And remember, don’t drive through standing water, it can have a current, and it is incredibly dangerous.”
Swaths of Kentucky could see 5-8 inches of rain due to the state-spanning storm system — which will continue to develop over the next several days, Fox Weather reported.
Heavy rain and flooding also came down in Virginia and West Virginia — with roadways quickly transforming into streams.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a state of emergency in 10 southern counties Saturday night, while Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin deployed the state’s National Guard.
NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center issued their most dire level 4 flash flood threat rating of “extreme” for parts of northwestern Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky.
With Post wires
