At least three people have died after a strong storm and possible tornadoes pushed its way eastward through central United States.
An 83-year-old man in northeast Arkansas and a 79-year-old woman in south central Kentucky were both killed as the storm that also included heavy winds, rain and hail muscled its way through the area, authorities reported. Another man died after his vehicle submerged.
The man, who has been identified as Albert Foster, was killed Saturday night after high winds toppled a trailer home and it was blown into a pond, Clay County Sheriff Terry Miller told KAIT-TV.
A car drives through floodwater as the swelling Ohio River floods historic areas in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Friday
About 50 miles away, the weather service said the roof was blown off of a hotel in Osceola, about 160 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee.
In south central Kentucky, Dallas Jane Combs died after a suspected tornado hit her Adairville home on Saturday evening, Logan County Sheriff’s Department told television station WKRN.
Sheriff officials said Combs was inside the home when it collapsed on her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pictured here is the Ohio River flooding areas of Downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Friday
The excessive rainfall is forecast to worsen, and the river is expected to peak over the weekend from Friday to Sunday
Authorities say Combs’ husband was outside the house when the unconfirmed tornado hit and he sustained minor injuries.
Storm-related damage also was reported in Middle Tennessee, where Fox17 in Nashville reported extensive damage to homes and vehicles.
They said at least a dozen homes were damaged in one Montgomery County subdivision.
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order earlier Saturday declaring a state of emergency ahead of the anticipated storms and flooding in parts of southern Missouri.
The order activates the resources of the Missouri National Guard and ensures state resources are available in the event of weather damage.
A levee breach along the Kankakee River in northwestern Indiana had local officials urging about 30 homeowners to evacuate.
The violent storms continue to sweep central US as high winds, heavy rain and hail cause chaos
A flooded street is pictured as the swelling Ohio River floods historic areas in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky
Keener Township Volunteer Fire Chief Randy Woods said the breach was relatively minor when it was discovered about 3 p.m. Friday near Demotte, about 50 miles southeast of Chicago.
Local residents tried to sandbag the breach ‘to get it under control, but it just got bigger and bigger,’ he said. Local firefighters were called to help them, but eventually everyone had to pull out for their own safety.
No injuries were reported.
The weather service said record flooding was occurring along the Kankakee following several days of heavy rains and snowmelt that sent streams out of their banks from the Ohio River to Michigan and Wisconsin.