A massive storm system has pummeled the Midwest and South this week, killing at least seven people and leaving a trail of destruction from Arkansas 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 motorist’s death in Indiana to the storm.
In many communities, the focus shifted immediately to the threat of flooding. Water already covered roads in Nashville, and schools in some drenched Kentucky and Tennessee communities called off Friday classes. With many waterways expected to crest at major flood stage over the weekend, residents of river towns in Arkansas, Missouri and beyond were racing to fill up sandbags.
Here is a look at some of the damage:
Credit…Brad J. Vest for The New York Times
Cody Ferguson took pictures of damage to his home in Lake City.
Credit…Brad J. Vest for The New York Times
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.
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CreditCredit…Associated Press
People surveyed destroyed homes in Lake City.
Credit…Brad J. Vest for The New York Times
Dylon Davies embraced Skylar, his friend’s dog that survived the tornado in Lake City.
Credit…William DeShazer for The New York Times
Rescue operations were underway as floodwaters grew in Nashville.
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Floodwaters overflowed into streets in Nashville.
Credit…William DeShazer for The New York Times
Utility workers began restoring power in Selmer.
Credit…William DeShazer for The New York Times
Buildings were shredded in Selmer.
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CreditCredit…Tennessee Highway Patrol via Storyful
Crews searched through wreckage after a tornado hit Selmer.
Credit…William DeShazer for The New York Times
Flooding in Nashville.
Credit…William DeShazer for The New York Times
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.
CreditCredit…Anthony Kyle Borden via Facebook
Lightening as tornado warnings were issued in Statonville.
Credit…Michael Swensen/Getty Images
Parishioners and community members assessed damage after a tornado struck the Christ Community Church in West Paducah.
Credit…Leandro Lozada/Agence France-Presse, via Afp /Afp Via Getty Images
A tornado ripped through buildings in Louisville.
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CreditCredit…@DKahunaB via Storyful
Tornados toppled trees and damaged homes in Carmel.
Credit…David Robert Elliott for The New York Times
Residents explored the wreckage in Nevada.
Credit…David Robert Elliott for The New York Times
Businesses in Nevada were destroyed by the storm.
Credit…Mike Simons/Tulsa World, via Associated Press
Ryland Mosley, 18, who was on the second story of his home when the storm passed, stood outside and observed the aftermath in Owasso.
Credit…Mike Simons/Tulsa World, via Associated Press
Damage in Owasso.
