At least 21 people die in 'catastrophic' floods in Tennessee
"Catastrophic" floods have left at least 21 people dead in Tennessee, the authorities of the South American state announced Sunday, while local media reported that dozens of people were still missing.
A previous toll had indicated that there were 16 dead.
On Saturday, Tennessee witnessed rain described by the local meteorological services as "historic", and led to deadly floods.
At a news conference, local police chief Grant Gillespie said 20 people had died in Waverley, Humphreys County. He indicated that an additional body was found in a rural area.
In an earlier statement, the state's emergency management agency said that "the Tennessee Department of Health was able to confirm the presence of 16 victims" from weather conditions in Humphreys County, warning that the toll is temporary and may rise.
The agency added that "between 22 and 43 centimeters of rain fell in this area of central Tennessee during a period of six hours on Saturday morning," describing the floods as "catastrophic." The bad weather continued into the night.
3 other regions were also affected. The statement said that clean-up operations were underway and that "many bridges and roads in the affected area are still closed."
The agency said the governor of Tennessee visited the site on Sunday afternoon.
There are still dozens of people missing, according to the local newspaper, The Tennessee.
Initially, the police reported that 40 people were missing, but now the number of missing is about 20 people, including many children.
Local officials in Waverley said the water rose so quickly that people did not have time to take cover.
"It was almost as fast as a hurricane," the mayor of Waverley, in Humphreys County, told local television station WKRN. Someone described it as a tidal wave.
Pictures showed upturned cars and mud-covered streets.
In a press conference, US President Joe Biden expressed his "deep condolences," noting that the government "is ready to provide assistance."
"Our prayers are with all Tennessee residents affected by the historic floods," Representative Mark Green wrote on Twitter.
