Heavy flooding has impacted several areas of the state of Tennessee causing
the death of at least 21 people and 50 missing,
according to the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office.
Notable among the deceased is the case of two young twins who were snatched from their father's arms by the current, county sheriff Chris Davis told NBC affiliate WSMV.
Davis said the brothers' bodies had been recovered.
Floods in Humphreys County, Tennessee, on August 22, 2021. NBC News
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The sheriff warned that
no one should travel unless absolutely necessary,
and a curfew went into effect Saturday from 8:00 pm.
Authorities have also issued a flash flood watch for Humphreys, located about 70 miles west of Nashville.
The destruction is visible throughout Humphreys County
.
The torrential water lifted some houses from their foundations and turned them into rubble.
Dozens of vehicles are overturned or submerged.
Many bridges and roads were razed.
This valley, located along Trace Creek, was a stagecoach route located just over 60 miles from Nashville on the road to Memphis.
Water is inescapable in Waverly, a Humphreys County enclave that borders the Duck River to the south and the Tennessee River to the west.
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After Trace Creek overflowed on Saturday, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told The Tennessean it is the worst flooding he has seen in his 28 years in the department.
The heavy fog on Sunday makes traveling in the region difficult.
Today no more rains are expected.
This area had not experienced a tragedy of this magnitude
since 1978 when a propane tank car exploded leaving 16 people dead.
On Saturday, a power outage in Humphreys County made it difficult to receive cell phones and added to the confusion as rescuers tried to locate the missing.
Portable units were relocated to help re-establish communications.
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Up to 15 inches of rain was recorded in the Trace Creek valley,
a new record for the area.
In 2015, the creek went out of its channel and destroyed some roads, but the current damage is of a much greater magnitude.
The Tennessee National Guard was activated to help with the rescues.
Damage caused by flooding caused by heavy rains in McEwen, Tennessee, which left dozens of people missing, on Aug. 22, 2021. Mark Humphrey / AP
"Tennessee National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are supporting state, county and local emergency services to
assist the citizens of Humphreys affected by the
August 21
flash flood
," the National Guard tweeted. .
The Humphreys County Sheriff's Office confirmed that vehicles and buildings were affected, as reports on social media show.
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"Heavy rains have caused dangerous flooding in central Tennessee ...
The flood situation in these counties is dangerous
and evolving," the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.
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"Our volunteers and qualified staff will begin surveying the area Sunday morning and assess the needs of each community after these storms," said Joel Sullivan, regional executive director of the Tennessee Red Cross.
He added: "We are working with our local partners and government officials to
ensure necessary services are provided
in order for residents to recover in the fastest manner."
A reunification center for flood survivors was established at McEwen High School.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Authority will operate that center until 5:00 pm Sunday.
With information from NBC News and The Tennessean