Photos: 5 dead after severe storms tear from Arkansas to Kentucky
The first severe weather outbreak of the year triggered tornadoes, extensive damage and flooding across the Mississippi and Ohio valleys at the start of the weekend.
At least five people have died as a result of the storms, according to The Washington Post.
One dozen preliminary tornadoes were reported on Saturday and Saturday night, causing three deaths and numerous injuries, according to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.
A majority of the tornadoes touched down in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Updated preliminary information from our storm survey team:
EF-2 #tornado with max winds of 125 mph struck east #Clarksville TN on Saturday eve 2/24/18. #Tornado began on Dunbar Cave Road & ended on Kirkwood Road. Path length 4.05 miles, path width 300 yards, & 2 injuries. #tnwx pic.twitter.com/exSmQlMJcp— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) February 25, 2018
An EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 125 mph left a trail of destruction in Clarksville, Tennessee. The tornado was on the ground for a little over four miles.
In southeastern Missouri, debris was strewn about after an EF-2 tornado with maximum winds of 115 mph tore through the town of Malden.
Tornado damage in Malden, Missouri. (Twitter/@NWSMemphis)
In addition to the damage inflicted by high winds and tornadoes, torrential rainfall led to widespread flooding, road closures and wash outs, water rescues and sinkholes.
The flooding was exacerbated due to recent rainfall that left the ground saturated and rivers running high.
One person died after their vehicle was swept up by floodwaters in Kentucky.
A flash flood emergency was declared for the Louisville, Kentucky, metro area on Saturday night after torrential rainfall caused water to rapidly rise, forcing numerous water rescues.
The 2.98 inches of rain that fell in the city on Saturday set a new daily record.
At one point during Saturday night, flash flood warnings extended along an approximate 700-mile stretch of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.
As crews and residents assess damage and begin the clean-up process, drier weather is predicted for the region through Monday.
As runoff flows downstream, moderate to major river flooding will persist, including along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Rain and the potential for more severe thunderstorms may return to the affected region late Tuesday through Wednesday.
Tornado damage in Keiser, Arkansas. (Twitter/@NWSMemphis)
Tornado damage in Keiser, Arkansas. (Twitter/@NWSMemphis)
Tornado damage near Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday night, Feb. 24, 2018. (Twitter/@WillClinard)
Tornado damage near Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday night, Feb. 24, 2018. (Twitter/@WillClinard)
A tree is splintered in half after severe storms ripped through Tennessee on Saturday night, Feb. 24, 2018. (Twitter/@WillClinard)
Storm damage in New Madrid County, Missouri, on Saturday night, Feb. 24, 2018. (Twitter/Missouri State Highway Patrol)
Storm damage in New Madrid County, Missouri, on Saturday night, Feb. 24, 2018. (Twitter/Missouri State Highway Patrol)
DEVASTATING DAMAGE IN KEISER, AR:
It was directly hit. This gas station was demolished. I've seen roofs off multiple homes.
Tons of police from all over the area.
No word on injuries but "ambulances were here" according to officer.
People affected are sheltering at city hall. pic.twitter.com/BMroFbToj2— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCFOX13) February 25, 2018
STORM DAMAGE - @LocalMemphis is getting a first look at damage from severe weather. Here are pictures of the Rodeway Inn in Osceola, Arkansas. @LocalMemphis pic.twitter.com/UxL00OPzcG
— Annette Peagler (@Local24Annette) February 25, 2018
Intense squall line, severe thunderstorm warning, and storm surge-like impacts on flash flood waters near Lonoke AR @breakingweather #arwx #flashfloodwarning #arkansas pic.twitter.com/uRZAZmhLFH
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) February 24, 2018
Line echo wave pattern with possible transient supercell structure just northeast of the Little Rock, AR radar site NW of Lonoke! @breakingweather #arwx pic.twitter.com/2CJryoT5yy
— Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) February 24, 2018
