In the past few weeks, the **intense rains** and **strong winds** have caused a **critical scenario of floods** in the southern and midwestern United States, affecting entire communities and leaving at least **20 people dead**.
This extreme weather phenomenon has put several states on alert, worsening the situation in previously saturated areas such as **Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky**.
Although the rains have decreased in some areas, the water level continues to rise, flooding homes, businesses, and roads, while the overflowing rivers threaten to reach **historical records**.
Cities like Frankfort, in Kentucky, are facing particularly serious challenges due to the **rise of the Kentucky River**, which already exceeds 14 meters and could reach 15 meters, nearing the city’s containment systems limit.
Emergency response and critically affected areas
In the midst of this crisis, local authorities and rescue teams have acted to **protect affected communities**.
In Frankfort, sandbag barriers have been installed, public services have been cut, and inflatable boats have been deployed to evacuate trapped residents.
Simultaneously, evacuation orders have been issued in towns like Falmouth and Butler, near the Licking River. There are fears of a repeat of a similar tragedy from three decades ago when this river reached a record height of **15.24 meters** and destroyed over **1,000 homes**.
Meanwhile, in Tennessee, a small town with only 200 inhabitants was almost completely submerged after the Obion River overflowed due to a dike failure.
Memphis, on the other hand, reported up to **35 centimeters of rain** in a few days, while Arkansas received **25 centimeters**, severely affecting its infrastructure.
Victims and human costs of rains and floods
The human toll of these storms has been devastating. Among the fatalities are **10 people in Tennessee**, including a 9-year-old child who was swept away by the current while heading to the school bus.
In Arkansas, another 5-year-old child died when a tree fell on their house during the storm, and in Missouri, a 16-year-old volunteer firefighter lost his life while trying to rescue others.
The death toll highlights the fragility of the infrastructure in many communities exposed to **extreme weather events**, fueling calls to strengthen emergency response capacity.
Meteorological conditions and shortcomings in resources
Meteorologists have attributed these extreme conditions to a combination of **high temperatures**, **unstable atmosphere**, **strong winds**, and **moisture from the Gulf of Mexico**. Although these weather conditions are not new, their intensity seems to be increasing, exacerbating the effects in an already vulnerable region.
Additionally, the crisis is exacerbated by cuts in resources for the **National Weather Service (NWS)** made during the Trump Administration. Many forecast offices face vacancy rates of up to **20%**, limiting their ability to effectively predict and communicate weather threats.
Perspectives and the need for action
The storms have not only caused immediate devastation but also underscore the need for investments in resilient infrastructure and climate change mitigation plans.
Experts warn that these floods may become more recurrent, endangering the safety of millions of people if **concrete measures** are not taken. Local communities, already affected by the human and economic costs, are calling for swift and effective actions to protect the most vulnerable from **future disasters**.
Cover photo: Jon Cherry/AP Photo
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