The US was hit by winter storms and floods

Photo:Depositphotos

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear informed the public on Sunday that several hundred people were stranded due to flooding and rescue efforts were underway. Most of the fatalities in Kentucky were caused by cars getting stuck in high water.

In addition to the rescue services volunteers from among the residents are also searching for the missing. The governor said the winter storms knocked out power to at least 39,000 homes. As a result of strong wind gusts power outages will increase in the coming days.

The northern plains of the US are facing extremely cold temperatures these days as frigid air from the breakup of the polar vortex moves in. Tornado warnings have been issued for Georgia and Florida.

Parts of Kentucky and Tennessee received up to six inches of snow during the weekend storms. Meteorologists are also recording negligible snowfall in the surrounding states. River and stream levels are rising in many places which may result in further flooding.

In Atlanta, one person was killed when a large tree fell on them, according to Fire Rescue Captain Scott Powell. Winter storms have also hit parts of New England and New York state where heavy snowfall is expected.

Low temperatures also prevail in the Rocky Mountains and northern plains. Arctic weather forces push out the frigid air that usually stays near the North Pole. However it is now also reaching the USA and Europe.

Source:Aljazeera