Tennessee faces “catastrophic” flooding. These killed at least 16 people, authorities in the southern United States reported on Sunday, and dozens of people remained wanted, according to several local media.
In Humphreys County, about an hour and a half west of Nashville, “between 22 and 43 centimeters of rain fell. […] during a period of 6 hours Saturday morning, ”and inclement weather continued into the night, the State Emergency Management Agency said. Three other counties were also affected. Clean-up operations are underway, and “many bridges and roads in the affected area remain closed.”
“Like a tidal wave”
“It was almost as fast as a tornado. Someone described it as a tidal wave, ”the mayor of the town of Waverly, located in Humphreys County, told local television station WKRN. Images showed overturned cars and mud-strewn streets.
At a press conference on Sunday, US President Joe Biden expressed “his deep condolences” and indicated that the government stood “ready to offer assistance”. “Our prayers go out to all residents of Tennessee affected by yesterday’s historic flooding,” for his part tweeted state elected representative in the House of Representatives Mark Green on Sunday morning.