CNN (Cable News Network

Severe thunderstorms cause flooding, deaths
News story originally written on March 4, 1997

Several severe thunderstorms hit the U.S. over the weekend, wreaking havoc on the Midwestern and Southern states. Storms on Saturday, March 1, have killed at least 21 in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. Flooding in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia has caused much damage to homes and businesses.

A record 13 inches of rain has fallen over the weekend, causing flooding of many rivers and lakes. The Ohio River Valley is almost completely underwater, with cars and mobile homes floating around the area. The Ohio River is currently seven feet over flood stage and is expected to crest another four feet.

Many towns are completely under water, and needed to be evacuated. 10 deaths in Kentucky and 5 in Ohio occurred due to little warning from the flash flooding. Many areas are without electricity, telephone service, nor fresh water.

The Ohio River is expected to begin receding around mid-week, but it will take several months for a complete cleanup of this devastated area.

Elsewhere, flooding and high winds have caused severe damage. In West Virginia, a man was killed by entrapment from a flash flood. Two people in Texas were killed when high-speed winds overturned a mobile home. In Tennessee, three people drowned during flash floods, and one was killed by a tornado.

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