On Monday, harsh weather conditions moved westward as a polar vortex was expected to affect the Rockies and the northern Plains, following winter storms that hit the eastern U.S. over the weekend, claiming at least 10 lives, including nine in Kentucky who perished due to flooding from heavy rains.
The National Weather Service issued a warning for “life-threatening cold” lasting into Tuesday, with temperatures in northeastern Montana expected to plunge to as low as 45 degrees below zero (-42.7 degrees Celsius), and wind chills reaching 60 below (-51 degrees Celsius).
Meteorologists predicted that several states would experience the 10th and coldest polar vortex event of the season, as Arctic weather patterns combined to push the unusually cold air southward into the U.S. and Europe.
In Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear confirmed on Sunday that the state’s death toll had risen to nine. Beshear stated earlier that at least 1,000 people stranded by floods had to be rescued, and President Donald Trump approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate relief efforts.
Most of the deaths, including a mother and her 7-year-old child, were attributed to vehicles getting trapped in high water, according to Beshear.
Portions of Basil Griffin Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, were submerged after heavy rainfall starting early on Saturday, which brought nearly five inches of rain to Warren County, followed by a blanket of snow over the region. The Cumberland River in Clarksville, Tennessee, also rose significantly, and vehicles in the area were submerged.
Beshear urged residents to avoid driving, saying, “So folks, stay off the roads right now and stay alive.”
Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee saw up to six inches (15 centimeters) of rain, according to Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service. Oravec warned that the impacts would continue, with swollen streams and ongoing flooding.
In Alabama, the weather service in Birmingham confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Hale County, which caused damage to mobile homes, downed trees, and power lines, though no injuries were reported.
Additionally, a state of emergency was declared in Obion County, Tennessee, after a levee failure led to flooding in the small community of Rives, which is home to around 300 residents. Mayor Steve Carr stated that mandatory evacuations would be enforced due to rising water, power outages, and freezing temperatures.
In Atlanta, a person was killed when a large tree fell on a house early on Sunday morning, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Captain Scott Powell.
Wind chills as low as 50 degrees below zero (minus 45.6 degrees Celsius) were expected in North Dakota, which, along with much of South Dakota and Minnesota, remained under an “extreme cold warning.”
Flooding in Kentucky and mudslides in Virginia caused severe damage over the weekend, while flood warnings were issued throughout Tennessee and Arkansas.
A mother and child were swept away in Kentucky’s Bonnieville community, and a 73-year-old man was found dead in floodwaters in Clay County, southeastern Kentucky. Hart County reported a total of four deaths. Additionally, the Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson had to close its emergency department due to nearby flooding, transferring patients to other hospitals.
High winds also caused extensive damage in Virginia, knocking down trees and power poles in Albemarle County. The Charlottesville Police Department issued a warning about delayed response times due to the large number of weather-related service calls. Power outages were reported from New York to Georgia.
In West Virginia, 13 southern counties were under a state of emergency due to flooding, and several areas became inaccessible by vehicle. Volunteer fire departments, already dealing with flooding in their own buildings, were also called to respond to rescue and evacuation efforts.
Snow and ice caused hazardous driving conditions across Michigan, which remained under a winter weather advisory until Monday afternoon. Michigan State Police reported 114 crashes in the Detroit area since Saturday due to the snowstorm. Fortunately, most of these were single-car spinouts, with no serious injuries.
In Colorado, authorities reported eight fatalities from vehicle crashes since Valentine’s Day, attributing the deaths to hazardous weather conditions. Additionally, three state patrol cruisers were struck by other vehicles while on the roadside, although the troopers were uninjured in each incident.
Avalanche warnings were issued for various regions in the Rocky Mountains, including Colorado and Washington, with Utah facing the highest danger.