Environment/Science
Environment/Science
US: Tennessee flooding leaves 21 people dead, Joe Biden expresses sadness

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 22 Aug 2021, 10:32 pm Print

US: Tennessee flooding leaves 21 people dead, Joe Biden expresses sadness Tennessee floods

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Washington: At least 21 people died as severe flood hit  Humphreys County in Middle Tennessee region of the US, media reports said.

According to reports, 20 people are still missing.

"We've experienced devastating loss of life over the last couple days," Grant Gillespie, the police and fire chief of Waverly, Tennessee, was quoted as saying by CNN in a news conference Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden expressed his sadness over the death of people in the flood.

"I want to begin by expressing my deepest condolences for the sudden and tragic loss of life due to this flash flood," Biden said.

"I know we’ve reached out to the community and we stand ready to offer them support.  I’ve asked the Administrator to speak to Governor Lee of Tennessee right away, and we will offer any assistance they need for this terrible moment," he said.

Rural roads and highways throughout Tennessee were washed away on Saturday as the state, particularly Humphreys County, was hit by record rainfall. Floodwaters submerged houses nearly to their roofs and over 4,000 people lost power in the state.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency declared a Level 3 state of emergency on Saturday.

(With UNI/Sputnik inputs)