Nearly 100,000 residents are under a flash flood emergency in Kentucky as heavy rain inundated the western part of the state early Wednesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, 4-8 inches of rain was reported in multiple areas. A station near Mayfield, Kentucky, reported 8.27 inches of rain from midnight through 9 a.m. CT.
Cities in the flash flood emergency included Paducah and Mayfield. Just 18 months ago, Mayfield experienced a devastating EF-4 tornado.
The National Weather Service described the flooding as a "particularly dangerous situation." Forecasters warned of life-threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
Rescue crews worked to pull people out of flooded cars and buildings.
Police in Paducah and Mayfield both said a number of roadways are closed due to flooding.
The National Weather Service said it expects rain will slowly decrease by late morning. The area will continue to have a chance of rain on Thursday and Friday.
SEE MORE: Why experts say more Americans need to consider flood insurance
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the U.S., flooding risks persist.
Officials say a mother and her 5-year-old daughter swimming in a Connecticut river were swept away by high-running currents and died.
Five people have died in flash flooding in Pennsylvania.
Residents in Hawaii are bracing for heavy rain as Tropical Storm Calvin passes close by the Big Island.
Arizona climatologist Dr. Erinanne Saffell says it's critical to look at climate patterns to put this extreme weather into context.
"Hotter temperatures make a thirstier atmosphere. They can hold more water. And so that water then eventually comes back down. And that's what we're seeing in southern Illinois and Kentucky."
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