A huge storm system has pummeled the Midwest and South this week, killing at least 14 people and leaving a trail of destruction from Texas to Ohio. The risk may only increase in the days ahead as sustained rainfall is expected to cause widespread and potentially catastrophic floods.
The storm began to menace the region on Wednesday, when tornadoes and strong winds toppled barns, houses and power poles. Several people died in Tennessee, including a teenage girl whose modular home was destroyed by a tornado. Officials also linked a fire chief’s death in Missouri and a 9-year-old boy’s death in Kentucky to the storm.
In many communities, the focus shifted immediately to the threat of flooding. With many waterways expected to crest at major flood stage over the coming days, residents of river towns in Arkansas, Missouri and beyond were racing to fill up sandbags.
Here is a look at some of the damage:
Arkansas
Cody Ferguson took pictures of damage to his home in Lake City.
Jessica Rust showed off a photo of a tornado that she took on Wednesday as she and her family cleared debris from her father’s destroyed mobile home in Lake City.
People surveyed destroyed homes in Lake City.
Dylon Davies embraced Skylar, his friend’s dog that survived the tornado in Lake City.
Tennessee
Rescue operations were underway as floodwaters grew in Nashville.
Floodwaters overflowed into streets in Nashville.
Utility workers began restoring power in Selmer.
Buildings were shredded in Selmer.
Crews searched through wreckage after a tornado hit Selmer.
Flooding in Nashville.
Residents in Selmer patched a roof as rain continued to pour.
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Gosh, y’all. Another — couple new tornado warnings we need to go fly to real quick.
Lightning as tornado warnings were issued in Statonville.
Kentucky
A flooded subdivision in Bowling Green.
A flooded yard and marina on the banks of the Ohio River in Louisville.
Parishioners and community members assessed the damage after a tornado struck the Christ Community Church in West Paducah.
A tornado ripped through buildings in Louisville.
Indiana
Tornadoes toppled trees and damaged homes in Carmel.
Missouri
Residents explored the wreckage in Nevada.
Businesses in Nevada were destroyed by the storm.
Oklahoma
Ryland Mosley, 18, who was on the second story of his home when the storm passed, stood outside and observed the aftermath in Owasso.
Damage in Owasso.