Deadly Storms Ravage Central U.S., Leaving 16 Dead and Widespread Damage
Severe storms unleashed torrential rain, flash flooding, and deadly tornadoes across the South and Midwest, leaving at least 16 people dead as of Saturday, April 5, 2025. The relentless weather stretched from Texas to Ohio, with forecasters warning that rivers in affected areas would continue to rise for days.
The central United States has been battered by days of heavy rainfall, causing rivers and waterways to overflow rapidly. Flash flood emergencies were declared across multiple states, with the National Weather Service (NWS) predicting major flood stages in dozens of locations. The flooding threatens to damage critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings.
Among the fatalities are 10 people in Tennessee. In Missouri, a 57-year-old man died after his car was swept off a road by floodwaters. Kentucky reported two deaths: a nine-year-old boy swept away en route to school and a 74-year-old man found inside a submerged vehicle. Arkansas authorities confirmed the death of a five-year-old in Little Rock due to weather-related circumstances.
The extreme flooding has disrupted interstate commerce, particularly in cargo hubs like Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis, Tennessee. Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist, warned of potential shipping delays and supply chain disruptions.
The storms have also highlighted staffing shortages at NWS offices, which are operating with vacancy rates of up to 20% following job cuts during the Trump administration—double the rate from a decade ago.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg reported that the Ohio River rose five feet within 24 hours and is expected to rise further. In Kentucky’s Falmouth area, emergency officials ordered mandatory evacuations as the Licking River threatened catastrophic flooding reminiscent of events nearly three decades ago.
Meanwhile, tornadoes earlier in the week devastated neighborhoods and accounted for seven fatalities. Flash flood emergencies and tornado warnings continued Saturday across Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Hundreds of roads in Kentucky remained impassable due to floodwaters or debris.
In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, floodwaters briefly receded Saturday morning before more rainfall was anticipated over the weekend. Mayor James R. Knight Jr. expressed relief at a temporary reprieve but warned residents to remain cautious.
Arkansas officials urged residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to widespread flooding. In Mammoth Spring, floodwaters washed out a railroad bridge, causing a train derailment. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Since Wednesday, over 30 centimeters of rain have fallen in parts of Kentucky and more than 20 centimeters in Arkansas and Missouri. Meteorologists attributed the violent weather to warm temperatures combined with an unstable atmosphere, strong wind shear, and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
The NWS reported two tornado sightings Friday evening in Missouri and Arkansas. One tornado near Blytheville lifted debris nearly eight kilometers into the air. Damage from tornadoes and severe weather was reported in 22 counties across Arkansas.
In Dyersburg, Tennessee, residents sought refuge at storm shelters after devastating tornadoes caused millions of dollars in damage earlier in the week. George Manns, a local resident who took shelter at a public school facility Saturday night, described how he prepared for potential destruction by bringing essential items with him: “I don’t leave them in my apartment in case my apartment is destroyed.”