Catastrophic flooding is seen in this aerial image from Waverly, Tennessee
HUMPHREYS COUNTY (Tennessee, US), Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in Tennessee’s Humphreys County say multiple people have died and others are still missing after severe flooding Saturday.
Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that there are “multiple fatalities” and “multiple missing” throughout the county. Chief Deputy Rob Edwards said at least 10 people are dead and at least 40 people are missing. Various others are hospitalized.
Authorities are currently performing house-to-house checks in the area hit hardest within the county.
Sheriff Davis also said the county water system is down and search and rescue efforts are still active and will continue through the night.
Power outages have been reported all over the area and cell phone coverage from major carries has also been lost. Portable units are being brought in to assist authorities with communications.
Residents are also asked not to travel to Waverly as flooding remains severe.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol says they have two aircraft flying around. The aircraft are prepared to stay up through the night in Waverly as long as the weather hold out.
Davis told The Tennessean that the flooding is the worst he has seen in his 28 years with the department.
Rural roads and highways throughout the county were washed away after up to 12 inches (30.48 cm) of rain fell in parts of Middle Tennessee on Saturday and caused catastrophic flooding, The Tennessean reported.
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) said the rainfall has shattered records for water levels on the Piney River.
The situation was “life-threatening,” the Nashville National Weather Service tweeted on Saturday.
“People are trapped in their homes and have no way to get out,” NWS Nashville meteorologist Krissy Hurley told The Tennessean. “Water is up to their necks. It is catastrophic, the worst kind of situation.”
The Tennessee National Guard has been deployed to the county to assist residents, according to local media reports. — NNN-AGENCIES
