Rising rivers and flash floods threaten waterlogged US communities

Another round of torrential rain and flash flooding came on Saturday, April 5, 2025 for parts of the South and Midwest.

These areas already heavily waterlogged by days of severe storms that also spawned some deadly tornadoes.

Day after day of heavy rains have pounded the central U.S., rapidly swelling waterways and prompting a series of flash flood emergencies in Missouri, Texas and Arkansas.

The National Weather Service said 45 river locations in multiple states were expected to reach major flood stage.

The report also highlighted extensive flooding of structures, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure possible.

At least seven people were killed as the tornadoes destroyed entire neighborhoods, with more twisters possible in places this weekend.

Flooding killed at least two more in Kentucky, 9-year-old boy swept away Friday on his way to school.

Also, a 74-year-old whose body was found Saturday inside a fully submerged vehicle in Nelson County, authorities said.

Interstate commerce is affected, the extreme flooding across a corridor that includes the major cargo hubs in Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis.

Media reports say these could lead to shipping and supply chain delays, said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather.

The outburst comes at a time when nearly half of NWS forecast offices have 20% vacancy rates after Trump administration job cuts, twice that of just a decade ago.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Saturday that the Ohio River had risen five feet in 24 hours and would continue to swell for days.

“We expect this to be one of the top 10 flooding events in Louisville history,” he said.

Flash flood threat threatens many states

Flash flood emergencies continued to be issued on Saturday across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

There have been more heavy rains and damaging winds in the mix.

Hundreds of Kentucky roads were impassable Friday because of floodwaters, downed trees or mud and rock slides.

Also, the number of closures were likely to increase with more rain Saturday, said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Downtown Hopkinsville, Kentucky, reopened early Saturday after floodwaters from the Little River receded, giving a much needed reprieve.

However, more rainfall was on its way Saturday and Sunday, Mayor James R. Knight Jr. said.

“We got a little rain but most of it went north of us,” Knight said Saturday.

“Thank goodness on that. Gave us a little break.”

Flash flooding is particularly worrisome in rural Kentucky where water can rush off the mountains into the hollows.

Less than four years ago, dozens died in flooding in the eastern part of the state.

In north central Kentucky, emergency officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for Falmouth, a town of 2,000 people in a bend of the swelling Licking River.

This came as the rising water summoned fears of damaging floods.

The warnings were similar to catastrophic flooding nearly 30 years prior when the river reached a record 50 feet high.

The height resulted in five deaths and 1,000 homes destroyed.

Over in Arkansas, weather officials pleaded with the public to avoid all travel unless absolutely necessary due to the widespread flooding.

On Saturday, BNSF confirmed that a railroad bridge in Mammoth Spring was washed out by floodwaters that caused the derailment of several cars.

No injuries were reported, but BNSF had no immediate estimate when the bridge would reopen.

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