The U.S. was gripped by another wave of extreme winter weather on Sunday, unleashing chaos across multiple states. In Kentucky, relentless downpours triggered severe flooding, tragically claiming at least two lives. Meanwhile, the Northern Plains battled life-threatening subzero temperatures, and residents in Georgia and Florida remained on high alert as tornado watches loomed.
In Clay County, Kentucky, a 73-year-old man was discovered drowned in rising floodwaters, according to WKYT-TV. Emergency officials confirmed the fatality, though further details were not immediately available.
Adding to the widespread weather turmoil, violent storms tore through parts of Georgia and Florida, prompting urgent tornado warnings early Sunday, the National Weather Service reported.
In this photo provided by Donnie Smith, a kayaker navigates floodwaters Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, in rural Knox County, Ky. (Donnie Smith via AP)
Elsewhere, the Northern Plains braced for a deep freeze, with bone-chilling temperatures plunging into the minus 30s Fahrenheit near the Canadian border. In the Dakotas and Minnesota, dangerously cold wind chills ranging from minus 40°F (-40°C) to a brutal minus 50°F (-45.6°C) posed a serious risk of frostbite within minutes.
Meanwhile, a powerful winter storm took aim at parts of New England and northern New York, dumping heavy snowfall across the region. Ferocious wind gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) threatened to create “hazardous whiteout conditions,” making travel treacherous, the National Weather Service warned.
Tragedy struck in Kentucky as authorities launched an investigation into a fatality and a desperate rescue effort in Hart County, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed. According to WNKY-TV, a young victim lost their life in Saturday evening’s devastating floods, while a second person remained missing as rescue crews raced against time to locate them.
Authorities remained tight-lipped as the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Hart County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for more details, according to The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, relentless floodwaters swallowed cars and buildings across Kentucky, while mudslides wreaked havoc in Virginia, blocking key roadways. With flood warnings in effect for Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas, the National Weather Service urged residents to stay off the roads and avoid dangerous conditions.
