Multiple people have been reported missing in Tennessee and North Carolina due to heavy rains that caused severe flooding. North Carolina was hit by Tropical Storm Fred remnants, leading to at least four deaths in Haywood County.
After severe flooding on Saturday, Humphreys County in Tennessee has left at least eight people dead and 40 others missing. The Tennessean is part of USA TODAY Network. Sheriff Chris Davis said that the flooding was the worst he's seen in the 28 years he's been with the department.
According to the National Weather Service, rains in middle Tennessee have broken records for the Piney River's water level. Hickman County received more than 11 inches of rain early Saturday morning. The state of emergency continues through Saturday afternoon for Dickson, Hickman and Houston counties.
According to the Tennessee Valley Authority, McEwan received 14.5 inches of rainfall. Through Saturday night, a flash flood emergency remains in effect at Waverly and McEwen in Tennessee Ridge.
In a tweet, the Nashville National Weather Service stated that the situation was "life-threatening".
Krissy Hurley, NWS Nashville meteorologist, told The Tennessean that people are trapped inside their homes and have no other way out. Krissy Hurley is part of USA TODAY Network. "Water is up their necks. It is the most dire and dangerous situation.
According to Rob Edwards, Hickman County Chief Deputy, several people are still missing.
The National Weather Service stated that additional rain may be possible in areas that have already received between 8-12 inches of rainfall Saturday morning.
This is what the TN-HART mission pilots in Waverly are seeing. pic.twitter.com/kbOnMYH5kw Nashville Fire Dept (@NashvilleFD) August 21, 2021
Four people were confirmed dead in North Carolina's flooding caused by Fred. Two bodies were found Saturday. Their identities are not known. Franklin McKenzie (67), and Frank Mungo (86) were previously identified as among the dead.
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A family friend reported that seven people remain missing in Haywood County. This includes Judy Ann Mason who was last seen at Laurel Bank Campground, Canton, on Tuesday, March 3, 2013.
Naomi Haney, Mason's daughter, said that her mother sent her the following text: "Anything can happen to anybody at any time."
The third day of search and rescue began Saturday in Haywood. Teams from the other state were involved in searching for miles of riverbanks and rugged terrain.
Haywood County Flood Survivor: "I just saw everything floating away."
Cruso in North Carolina was one of the most severely affected by the storm.
It's gone. Sherrie McArthur who runs Laurel Bank Campground, said that there is nothing left. "I had 100 sites and they're all gone. There were 100 sites, and all but 10 of them have been lost. Rest of the campers are gone, except maybe 10. Some went completely down the river, I don't know what they'll do.
McArthur stated that emergency personnel with cadaver dogs were present on the scene Thursday.
Contributing: Brinley Hieman and Rachel Wegner (Nashville Tennessean); John Boyle, Joel Burgess (Asheville Citizen Times);
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Tennessee floods 'catastrophic; 4 killed in North Carolina floods
