LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The eastern U.S. is preparing for severe weather conditions on Saturday, with snowstorms expected in the Northeast and the possibility of tornadoes in the Mississippi Valley. Flood warnings are in effect for Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Arkansas, with up to 8 inches of rain forecasted for parts of western Kentucky.
Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency in Kentucky due to the anticipated flash flooding on Saturday and Sunday. The National Weather Service is warning residents to avoid travelling on flooded roads and to be cautious. Flash floods are also a concern in the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio valleys, with Tennessee already under flash flood warnings.
In New England, heavy snowfall is projected to transition into sleet, making travel extremely difficult. Northern New York is expected to experience mixed precipitation with snow, sleet, and ice accumulations, along with strong winds causing possible power outages and tree damage.
The Midwest and Upper Plains are facing snow and arctic temperatures, with winter weather advisories issued for parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Additionally, a polar vortex event is forecasted to bring frigid conditions to the U.S., starting in the northern Rockies and northern Plains on Saturday and continuing through the week.
Denver is preparing for temperatures as low as 14 degrees over the weekend, prompting the extension of cold weather shelters for the homeless. Extreme cold warnings have been issued for the Upper Plains, with wind chills dropping to as low as -60 degrees in some areas.
Southern California is dealing with the aftermath of the strongest storm of the year, with a continued risk of mudslides on fire-damaged hillsides. Residents are advised to stay cautious and prepared for potential hazards.
Following the cessation of rain, particularly in areas devastated by wildfires where vegetation essential for soil stability has been destroyed, a series of natural calamities ensued. In the city of Sierra Madre, water, debris, and massive boulders cascaded down the mountains on Thursday night, resulting in the entrapment of at least one vehicle in the thick mud and causing significant damage to numerous home garages from the mud and debris onslaught. Subsequently, on Friday, efforts were launched to clear the streets of the city, which is home to 10,000 residents, now obscured by layers of mud left in the wake of the torrential flow. Meanwhile, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, a powerful storm unleashed a colossal 6 feet (1.8 meters) of snow over a span of 36 hours. Tragically, during routine avalanche mitigation operations on Friday morning, two members of the ski patrol team at Mammoth Mountain found themselves ensnared in an avalanche. The resort confirmed the incident in a post on Facebook, stating that one individual had been successfully rescued and was showing signs of responsiveness, while the other was promptly transported to a medical facility due to sustaining severe injuries. This report was compiled with contributions from Associated Press journalists Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska, and Olga R. Rodriguez and Eugene Garcia in California.
