According to the latest reports, two people have died in recent severe storms and floods in Kentucky, including a 9-year-old boy who was swept away by floods on his way to school, and a 74-year-old man who died in a submerged car. Across the United States, at least 16 people have died in storm-related disasters in the past week, with Tennessee being the worst hit, with 10 deaths reported, Missouri 2, and Arkansas, Indiana and Mississippi 1 each.

The extreme weather triggered large-scale floods and tornadoes, resulting in road closures, flooded houses, and more than 250,000 users without power. The meteorological department warned that areas along the Mississippi River are still facing the threat of “catastrophic” floods. Experts point out that climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather, and areas such as the Midwest and the Ohio River Valley in the United States are particularly affected.