No fewer than 22 persons have been confirmed dead while dozens are still missing following flash floods in Tennessee, United States.
Gatekeepers News reports that the flood started on Saturday, submerging the entire roads and taking out telephone and power lines.
Name of the missing persons were said to be listed on a notice board at an emergency centre in Humphreys County as emergency workers continue to search door-to-door in the worst-hit areas.
Many people have taken to the county’s Facebook, to desperately sought information that could help find their missing friends and relatives.
My niece was swept away,” one woman wrote. “Her family is still looking for her. They were told she was found but it wasn’t her.”
“Me and my family are looking for our 6-year-old cousin,” another person wrote. “Any information is appreciated.”
Gatekeepers News gathered that most of the missing persons are from the town of Waverly, where the state’s Governor Bill Lee visited on Sunday.
“The loss of life and property damage is devastating,” he said. “Our hearts are with the many Tennesseans experiencing loss and heartbreak.”
Meanwhile, emergency officials have said the death toll is expected to rise in the coming days.
“I would expect, given the number of fatalities, that we’re going to see mostly recovery efforts at this point rather than rescue efforts,” Tennessee Emergency Management Director Patrick Sheehan said.
At least 17 inches (43cm) of rain fell in Humphreys County in less than 24 hours on Saturday, breaking Tennessee’s one-day record. Many people have been left without power.
