Washington [US], April 7: Authorities announced on April 6 that a powerful storm that struck the central and eastern United States had killed at least 17 people.
The US state of Tennessee was hardest hit by the storm , with 10 deaths recorded in the western part of the state, according to AFP.
Additionally, Kentucky and Missouri reported two deaths each, while Arkansas, Indiana and Mississippi reported one death each, with the death toll likely to rise.
Photos shared on social media showed widespread damage caused by the storm in several US states, with homes torn apart, trees downed, power lines downed and cars overturned, according to AFP.
"Flooding has reached record levels in many communities," Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on social media on April 5, urging people in the state to "avoid travel and never drive through flooded areas."
Nearly 140,000 customers were without power in five US states affected by the storm on April 6, according to the website PowerOutage.us .
Flood warnings remain in effect, especially in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, according to forecasters. The US National Weather Service said on April 6 that there was still a threat of heavy rain and flash flooding in some areas.
Scientists say global warming is disrupting climate patterns and the water cycle, making extreme weather more frequent and intense.
Last year, temperatures set records in the United States, while the country also suffered a series of devastating tornadoes and storms, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
