Washington [US], February 18: At least nine people, including a child, died over the weekend amid severe flooding triggered by heavy rainfall in parts of the US.
Eight people were confirmed to have died in the south-eastern state of Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said, adding: "We believe that this number is gonna grow." A seven-year-old child is among the dead, Beshear said. All the fatalities were related either to motor vehicle accidents or flood waters.
One person also died in the state of Georgia, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper reported citing local authorities.
More than 1,000 people have been brought to safety by rescue operations in Kentucky alone. US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency at the state's request. Tens of thousands of households are without electricity and drinking water. The National Guard is on the scene.
The heavy rains that began on Saturday have affected several states including Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia and West Virginia. In Tennessee, a dam broke, which, according to authorities, can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Source: Qatar Tribune