Central US Devastated by April 2025 Flooding and Tornadoes: Millions at Risk

Severe thunderstorms and continuous rainfall have triggered catastrophic flooding across the central United States in April 2025. The severe weather, ongoing since April 2nd, has caused at least eight fatalities across Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky. Approximately 41 million individuals are under threat from severe storms stretching from the Ohio River Valley to southeast Texas. The Mississippi Valley experienced a level 4 out of 4 risk of flooding rain for three consecutive days, an unusual event outside of hurricane season. Numerous water rescues were performed in Missouri and Kentucky. In Arkansas, the Spring River reached record levels, leading to substantial flooding in Hardy. President Trump approved Arkansas' request for an Emergency Declaration to facilitate federal assistance. Kentucky reported 390 road closures due to flooding, mudslides, and rockslides. Numerous tornadoes have been reported across the central US, some reaching EF3 intensity. Selmer, Tennessee, sustained heavy damage from a tornado. Damage survey teams have preliminarily assessed at least 31 tornadoes across eight states. A 9-year-old boy in Frankfort, Kentucky died after being swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop. The downtown area of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was submerged, requiring the rescue of residents and pets.