The National Weather Service issued a warning early Saturday predicting severe flash flooding in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, with a particular focus on areas in Kentucky and Tennessee. Approximately 21 million people are currently under some form of flood alert spanning from Arkansas to Pennsylvania. The region is expected to experience widespread and intense thunderstorms throughout the day, with rainfall amounts reaching up to 6 inches in certain areas and isolated totals even up to 8 inches.
The Weather Service highlighted the northwest regions of Tennessee and western Kentucky as facing the highest risk of intense rainfall that could lead to life-threatening flash floods. A High Risk of Excessive Rainfall (level 4/4) has been declared in these areas. Social media users shared distressing footage of floodwaters encroaching upon homes and roads, with reports of flooding in Gray, Kentucky, and Cottontown, Tennessee.
In addition to the flooding, there is also a looming threat of severe thunderstorms and strong tornadoes in parts of the lower Mississippi Valley. A large area of rain and thunderstorms is anticipated to persist across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast throughout the weekend, heightening the risks of heavy precipitation and flash flooding.
Moving further north, the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and New England are bracing for moderate to heavy snowfall, affecting around 70 million people under winter weather alerts or warnings from Nebraska to Maine. Sleet and freezing rain are expected to create hazardous driving conditions, particularly in the Northeastern regions.
The Weather Prediction Center has warned of significant ice accumulations due to freezing rain in the interior Northeast, potentially leading to power outages. The storm is predicted to intensify in the Northeast by late Saturday, ushering in strong and gusty winds that may result in periods of blowing snow and challenging travel conditions.
Looking ahead to early next week, forecasts indicate that the rain and snow will move off the East Coast, although blustery winds will likely maintain cold temperatures across much of the eastern half of the country.
