Flash Flooding Kills Five Across Kentucky and Tennessee

Flash flooding killed four people in Kentucky and one in Tennessee over the weekend as more than 10 inches of rain fell in parts of Kentucky. A woman died Sunday in Tennessee while attempting to rescue her son after rising water swept him into a culvert, according to the Grainger County Sheriff's Department.

The son reached safety, but rescue personnel later recovered the woman lodged inside the culvert.

Kentucky officials declared a statewide state of emergency after three deaths occurred in Madison County and one in Jackson County. Two of the Madison County deaths took place at a residence in Richmond, while the third victim was swept away in a vehicle on Tates Creek Road.

Rainfall rates of two to three inches per hour were possible, and daily totals could reach five inches in some locations, the National Weather Service said. Flash-flood warnings were issued Sunday morning for southern Indiana and northeast Tennessee.

Nine counties declared states of emergency, with some areas receiving record rainfall amounts in short periods. Officials activated price-gouging laws and issued an emergency order allowing pharmacies to refill prescriptions lost or damaged in the flooding.

Search and rescue efforts continued Sunday. Officials advised residents to avoid roads where bridges and pavement had been washed out. An excessive heat warning was posted for Kansas City through Thursday night, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s on Sunday and feel hotter due to humidity.

Excessive heat watches are forecast for Minneapolis and Chicago on Monday.