A powerful storm system swept from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians this weekend, unleashing deadly flash flooding across Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with severe storms farther south. Hundreds of thousands of customers lost power across the region, and yet another winter storm is forecast to follow within days, bringing snow and ice to many of the same communities.

Compound Events Strain Everything

When flooding, severe weather, and winter storms strike the same region in rapid succession, restoration crews, emergency services, and families all run short on time to recover. Saturated ground topples trees more easily in later storms, so each event tends to make the next one’s outages worse.

Preparing for Possible Impacts

• Inspect your standby generator and ensure it is ready to activate automatically if power is lost.
• Run a test cycle to confirm your system starts and transfers power properly.
• Plan for fuel supply and make sure natural gas or propane systems are fully connected and serviced.
• Consider an upgrade. Whole-home backup solutions from Generac and Kohler deliver seamless power protection during prolonged outages.

Stay Informed

Follow local emergency management and National Weather Service updates, never drive through floodwater, and keep your generator fueled and ready between storms.