Ten people are killed in Tennessee flash floods, including twin toddlers swept away from their father: More than 30 are missing
Ten people have been killed and more than 30 are missing after heavy flooding hit parts of Tennessee on Saturday.
Among the dead were seven-months-old twins Ryan and Rieligh Rigney, who were pulled away from their father in a deluge when floodwaters swept through their apartment complex, NewsChannel5 reports.
Angie Cason, the twins' grandmother, told the station how the twins were at home with their mother, father and their five-year-old and 19-month-old siblings, when water smashed through their home on Saturday morning.
The mother of the four children was swept away in the torrent but managed to make it to safety, while their father grabbed the twins and their two siblings.
But despite his best efforts, the twins were torn from his arms, and they went under the water and disappeared, their grandmother said.
Their bodies were recovered by rescue workers later on Saturday, Humphreys County Sheriff said.
The Humphreys County town of McEwen, located about 50 miles west of Nashville, was pummeled with 17 inches of rain on Saturday, prompting water rescues, road closures, and communications disruptions, AP reported.
That rainfall total smashed the region's 24-hour record of 9.45 inches from 2010, according to the National Weather Service Nashville.
Swept away in the waters were twin 7-months-old Ryan and Rieligh Rigney, whose bodies were recovered by authorities after they were pulled away from their father
The Hardin County Fire Department of Savannah, Tennessee, posts a photo of damage after flooding due to heavy rainfall
The Nashville Fire Department posts aerial photos of massive flooding in Tennessee after heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding
The Humphreys County town of McEwen, was pummeled with 17 inches of rain on Saturday, prompting water rescues, road closures
All that remains are debris after homes were swept away by severe flash floods in Savannah on Saturday
A Hardin County Fire Department worker looks at the devastation caused by heavy rains on Saturday in Savannah
People stand on the closed Little Blue Creek Road bridge that leads to Waverly following heavy rainfall Saturday in Tennessee
Water covers Sam Hollow Road following heavy rainfall on Saturday that has left more that 30 people missing and 10 dead
The catastrophic flooding washed away homes and rural roads, leaving 10 dead and more than 30 people missing, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said.
Sheriff Davis said no one should travel unless absolutely necessary, especially in Waverly. He also advised people to check on elderly and shut-ins.
McEwen and the nearby city of Waverly was facing a 'dire, catastrophic situation,' National Weather Service meteorologist Krissy Hurley told The Tennessean. 'People are trapped in their homes and have no way to get out.'
Muddy floodwater rises on a fence post along Little Blue Creek Road following heavy rainfall on Saturday
Flash flooding in Tennessee on Saturday left severe property damage, destroying a car in the aftermath of extreme flooding in Tennessee.
Flash flooding in Savannah, Tennessee was so severe it overturned a car, leaving it damaged as 30 people in the state remain missing
Heavy flooding in several Middle Tennessee counties on Saturday prompted water rescues, road closures, and communications disruptions, with several people reported missing
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a Level 3 State of Emergency in the state. The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated in Nashville to support local requests and respond as a result of catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee, WSMV-TV reported.
The Tennessee National Guard, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Human Needs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, fire mutual aid and more are responding to the flooding mission.
Waverly couple Cindy Dunn, 48, and her husband Jimmy, 49, were rescued from their attic by a crew who used a bulldozer to reach them.
'Hell. That's what we had to go through,' Cindy Dunn said.
Joy Rhodes looks through a ruined calendar in her kitchen after her home flooded following heavy rainfall Saturday
Layers of pavement are ripped up from Harris Road following catastrophic flash flooding in Tennessee that has left 10 people dead
Debris from flooding is strewn along Sam Hollow Road as residents in Tennessee deal with the severe damage left behind by Saturday's flash floods
She told The Tennessean that her husband woke her up Saturday, telling her that floodwaters had pushed her car to their backyard. Eventually the water in their house rose to at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, forcing them to the attic. Dunn said the rooftop wasn´t an option.
'My husband is dealing with cancer. He´s going through chemotherapy. And I am an amputee. So there was no going anywhere besides the attic,' Dunn said.
Dunn said their home and neighboring houses 'are gone.'
Hickman County Chief Deputy Rob Edwards said in a text message to the newspaper that several people are missing and cellphone service has been disrupted throughout the county.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee tweeted on Saturday, 'Tennesseans, please stay cautious of rising floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall in parts of Middle TN. We are actively working with emergency response officials & first responders as they support Tennesseans in flooded areas.'
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated its emergency operations center and said agencies that include the Tennessee National Guard, the state Highway Patrol, and Fire Mutual Aid were responding to the flooding. In a bulletin, TEMA called the situation 'dangerous and evolving' and urged people to avoid travel in the affected counties.
Flash flood warnings were in effect for parts of Lewis, Marshall and Maury counties on Saturday night.
The National Weather Service said up to three more inches of rain was expected in nearby counties.
'Please do not go out tonight if you do not have to. Flooding is especially dangerous at night,' NWS Nashville tweeted.