Severe weather swept westward on Monday, with a polar vortex anticipated to impact the Rockies and northern Plains following a weekend of storms that claimed at least 10 lives, including nine in Kentucky due to floodwaters from heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service issued warnings of life-threatening cold through Tuesday, projecting temperatures in northeastern Montana to plummet to -45°F (-42.7°C), with wind chills reaching -60°F (-51°C).
Meteorologists predicted widespread polar vortex impact across several states this season, attributing the phenomenon to Arctic weather patterns driving unusually frigid air southward into the U.S. and Europe.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Sunday that the state’s death toll had risen to nine.
“We’ve confirmed another weather-related fatality in Pike County, raising our total to nine.”
Beshear previously reported over 1,000 flood-stranded individuals requiring rescue. President Trump approved Kentucky’s disaster declaration request, enabling FEMA to coordinate statewide relief efforts.
Alabama’s Birmingham weather service confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Hale County. Storms across the state caused damage to several mobile homes, downed trees, and power lines.
Parts of Obion County, Tennessee, declared a state of emergency after a levee breach on Saturday flooded the town of Rives (population ~300) in the western part of the state.
In Atlanta, a falling tree resulted in a fatality early Sunday, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell.
Dangerously low wind chills, as cold as -50°F (-45.6°C), were forecast for much of North Dakota, which, along with large portions of South Dakota and Minnesota, remained under an extreme cold warning, according to the weather service.
Severe flooding in Appalachia
Areas of Kentucky and Tennessee experienced up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rainfall, according to Bob Oravec, a senior National Weather Service forecaster.
Kentucky and Virginia saw cars and buildings submerged in floodwaters, with mudslides obstructing roads over the weekend. Flood warnings covered Tennessee and Arkansas.
A mother and child were swept away Saturday night in Kentucky’s Bonnieville (Hart County), according to Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts. A 73-year-old man was found deceased in Clay County floodwaters, reported by county Emergency Management Deputy Director Revelle Berry. Hart County experienced four fatalities in total, according to Beshear.
West Virginia declared a state of emergency in 13 southern counties due to flooding, with some areas inaccessible by road on Sunday. Several volunteer fire departments battled flooding in their own facilities while responding to rescues and evacuations.
Rockies, Midwest, Northeast hit with snow storms, polar vortex on the way
Ice and snow created hazardous driving conditions across much of Michigan, which remained under a winter weather advisory until Monday afternoon. Michigan State Police reported 114 crashes Sunday in the Detroit area, beginning Saturday.
“Fortunately, most were single-vehicle accidents, and there were no serious injuries,” Michigan State Police reported on X.
Colorado authorities reported eight fatal vehicle crashes since Valentine’s Day, urging caution due to weather-related driving difficulties. The causes of these accidents remain undetermined.
Also in Colorado, three state patrol vehicles parked on roadsides were struck by other vehicles, including one incident on Sunday where a trooper had stopped as officials prepared for a road closure due to ice. In all cases, troopers were uninjured as they were outside their vehicles at the time.
Avalanche warnings were issued for numerous areas of the Rocky Mountains, from Colorado to Washington state, with the highest risk level in Utah.
Part of Detroit is submerged in water after pipe burst
Parts of southwest Detroit are underwater following a water main break early Monday.
The 54-inch (137-centimeter) main, built in 1930, caused several feet of water to accumulate on streets, sidewalks, and yards, according to the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Crews worked to isolate the break. The cause of the burst is unclear, but temperatures were well below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17 degrees Celsius) late Sunday and early Monday.
No injuries were reported. Firefighters assisted one person from a car roof in waist-deep water, and a bulldozer aided in evacuating residents from a flooded home, according to the fire department.
Mayor Mike Duggan advised impacted residents to shelter in place if safe and with power. Those needing evacuation could call 911 for assistance to temporary shelters.
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Corey Williams in Detroit; Sophia Tareen in Chicago; and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report.