A series of intense storms, including tornadoes and historic flash flooding, have claimed the lives of at least 21 people across several states in the central and eastern United States, according to reports from state and local officials. The devastation has unfolded over several days, with new details emerging about the tragic consequences of the severe weather.
In Indiana, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reported the recovery of a missing Mooresville man’s body on Sunday. The 59-year-old was pulled into a culvert on Saturday morning while attempting to clear debris from a neighborhood pond overflow.
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The force of the floodwaters proved deadly, and the dangerous conditions hampered recovery efforts.
Tragedy also struck a golf course in Columbus, Georgia, where a father and son were killed by a falling tree, according to Columbus Public Information Officer Brittany Santiago.
In Mississippi, officials reported one fatality due to the severe weather that struck the state between Saturday and Sunday. That death occurred in Jasper County, as reported by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
On Saturday morning, a death occurred near the town of Boston, Kentucky, where the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office said a 74-year-old driver was found dead in their vehicle after authorities responded to a water rescue call. The identity of the victim has not been released.
Authorities issued a warning on Facebook, emphasizing the dangers of flooded roadways: “Please do not try to cross flooded roadways. The end result does not outweigh the risk. Turn around don’t drown is more than a saying it’s the difference between life and death.”
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In Frankfort, Kentucky, police said a boy was swept away by floodwaters while on his way to the school bus stop in the Hickory Hills area.
The boy was found dead a few hours later by EMS and first responders. The Franklin County Coroner identified the boy as 9-year-old Gabriel Andrews. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed his sorrow and urged caution, saying on X, “Kentucky, I have some tough news to share. This morning in Frankfort, a child died after being swept away by floodwaters. My heart breaks for this family.”
In Missouri, officials said a 16-year-old firefighter was killed in a crash on Friday while he was responding to a reported water rescue in Beaufort. The firefighter was identified as Chevy Gall.
Officials with the Beaufort-Leslie Fire Protection District said, “Tonight is a fire chief’s worst nightmare. We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our own. Chevy died while answering the call to help others. Our entire department is grieving, as we mourn with Chevy’s family, friends, and our fellow first responders during this incredibly difficult time.”
This severe weather event follows a deadly tornado outbreak that killed at least seven people and spawned nearly 70 reports of tornadoes across the lower and mid-Mississippi Valley last Wednesday.
At least 10 of those deaths occurred in Tennessee, prompting President Donald Trump to approve a disaster declaration for all 95 counties in the state, activating FEMA’s disaster relief response. In Little Rock, Arkansas, officials said a 5-year-old was killed in connection to the severe weather. Statewide, officials said 12 injuries have been reported.
The storms have also injured dozens of others and destroyed several homes from Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee through Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. In Missouri, Whitewater Fire Protection District Chief Garry Moore was killed while responding to severe weather events.
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A statement from Whitewater Fire Protection District said the department responded on Wednesday night “to assist with search and rescue efforts due to widespread damage from a presumed tornado.” “During the response, Chief Moore observed a vehicle off the roadway and stopped to assess the incident and render aid if needed,” the statement said. “A short time later, Chief Moore was found unconscious at the scene.”
In Indiana, Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office officials said a 27-year-old man from Danville was killed during the storm when his vehicle ran over downed power lines. The driver got out of the car and came into contact with the live power lines. Hundreds of roads across the river valleys are impassable due to the flooding. Assessments are underway, such as in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where floodwaters took out part of Highway 171.
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