At least 8 killed as devastating storm pounds central US with more flooding, tornado threats
A four-day, once-in-a-generation weather event is pounding the middle of the U.S. with destructive tornadoes and life-threatening flooding.
Friday marked day three of the devastating storm, with severe flooding in Missouri, Kentucky and Texas.
Here's what you need to know:
8 deaths reported in 4 states
At least eight people have died across four states.
In Franklin County, Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy died after he got caught in floodwaters on Friday while walking to a school bus stop, officials said.
Tennessee was hardest hit -- with five storm-related deaths. Three people died in the small city of Selmer, located in the southwestern part of the state, and two other people died in the surrounding county, according to local police.
A powerful EF-3 tornado ripped through Selmer early Thursday morning, leaving "immense devastation," Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said at a news conference Thursday. In addition to the five people killed in the county, a total of 14 other people were taken to hospitals.
Authorities in Missouri said a local fire chief, 68-year-old Garry Moore died while helping a stranded driver on Wednesday. Moore was the chief of the Whitewater Fire Protection District.
Another death was confirmed in Hendricks County, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. A 27-year-old man was driving on Wednesday when he hit downed power lines in the road, and then he got out of his car "and came into contact with the live power lines," the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office said.
States of emergency were declared in Tennessee and Kentucky earlier in the week.
"We are facing one of the most serious weather events we've had forecast," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear warned on social media. "Please stay alert, take all precautions, and be prepared."
Floodwaters inundate parts of Missouri
The city of West Plains, Missouri, about 100 miles east of Branson, was overwhelmed by flash flooding Friday after powerful storms dumped several inches of rain across the state, submerging roads, stranding vehicles, and prompting multiple emergency rescues.
Dramatic video shared by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper showing a local car dealership underwater, with only the tops of cars visible above the waterline.
The small city, of about 12,000 residents, was also hit by severe flooding in 2017.
West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff said late on Friday that while some water had receded, "we still anticipate rain through much of the night and tomorrow, so we're watching for more flash flooding and encourage residents to stay home."
Authorities recovered the body of one flood victim, Topliff said, but were waiting for police to notify the family before the person was publicly identified.
Since Wednesday, over half a foot of rain has inundated portions of Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky.
In Kentucky, Louisville, Mayor Craig Greenberg warned the rainfall there could lead to "one of the top 10 floods in recorded history in Louisville."
A massive flood watch was in effect from Texarkana, Texas, to Little Rock, Arkansas, to Memphis, Tennessee, to Louisville to Indianapolis to Columbus, Ohio, to Charleston, West Virginia.
A particularly dangerous situation, or PDS, flood watch was issued from Texarkana to Little Rock to Memphis to Paducah, Kentucky.
By the time the storm ends, rain totals could be over 15 inches in some areas. Some cities may see record-high four-day rain totals.
Rivers, creeks and other waterways could also advance into major flood stage from Arkansas to Kentucky.
The flooding could pose problems for "days, if not weeks, to come," Kentucky's governor warned Friday.
Tornado threat
A tornado watch was also in effect for portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Illinois.
Since the outbreak of severe weather began Wednesday, there have been more than four dozen reported tornadoes from Arkansas to Ohio. This includes the EF-3 tornado in Selmer, Tennessee, with winds of 160 mph, and an EF-3 tornado in Lake City, Arkansas, with winds of 150 mph.
Matt Ziegler documented the moment the tornado hit Lake City.
"I've always heard that they sound like a train on a track, but to be honest with you, it was eerily quiet," he told ABC News. "If you weren't looking, you wouldn't know that there was a major tornado just a field over from us."
On Saturday, the severe threat is labeled "enhanced," a level 3 out of 5 risk, with the potential for strong tornadoes from Louisiana to Tennessee.
The system will finally move east Sunday afternoon, bringing rain to the Southeast on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
ABC News' Elyse Smith, Victoria Arancio and Jason Volack contributed to this report.
