Flooding fears rise as saturated rivers crest; death toll at 19: Updates

MONTEREY, Kentucky − A deadly tempest strategy that slammed a swath of the federation with tornadoes and torrential rainfall for days was lingering implicit the Mississippi River Valley connected Monday and dilatory sliding to the Southeast.

Rescue crews successful boats swept crossed cities and towns arsenic floodwater rose. At slightest 19 radical person died since the storms developed Wednesday, according to authorities and media reports crossed the Southeast.

Flood signifier for the Kentucky River adjacent Monterey, astir 20 miles from the superior Frankfort, is 33 feet. It's expected to crest Tuesday greeting astatine 57 feet, which would transcend the grounds by 3 inches. Flooding and evacuations person led to further concerns.

"Now we're disquieted astir looters," Owen County Emergency Management Director Larry Karsner said. "I've asked the authorities for help, but if they don't nonstop any, I volition beryllium retired each nighttime successful this motortruck if I person to."

Flooding to stay a occupation done midweek

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 10 weather-related deaths successful the authorities amid days of terrible weather, including tornadoes and flooding. The terrible upwind was diminishing successful immoderate areas, but not the dangers.

"River flooding volition beryllium a interest crossed mediate Tennessee done mid-week arsenic well, truthful remember, Turn Around Don't Drown!" the National Weather Service successful Nashville warned Monday connected societal media.

The upwind work said scattered thunderstorms, immoderate with dense rainfall, terrible winds, and tornadoes were imaginable Monday day crossed parts of bluish Florida and the confederate Atlantic Coast.

"Moisture, instability and upwind shear volition travel unneurotic to beforehand the improvement of thunderstorms that are susceptible of producing damaging winds and possibly a tornado oregon two," the upwind work said.

New menace aft relentless rain? Rivers dangerously rising: Updates

Weather shuts gates astatine Masters

Monday's forecast for the Masters play tourney signifier circular successful Augusta, Georgia, called for "periods of dense rainfall and a thunderstorm," according to AccuWeather.

The upwind forced officials connected Sunday to to adjacent the gates for the time being, though they could reopen aboriginal Monday if the storms determination on.

"All patron parking tons volition stay closed until further notice," the Masters said Sunday evening. "No patrons should attack Augusta National Golf Club until much details are released."

The archetypal circular of the tourney begins Thursday, which has slim rainfall chances.

− Jon Hoefling

This nonfiction primitively appeared connected USA TODAY: Southeast slammed by flooding, tornadoes arsenic decease toll rises; updates