WAVERLY, Tenn. — UPDATE: Officials in Tennessee are now revising down both the death toll and the number of missing. The new figure of 18 is because officials had previously counted some deceased twice and incorrectly classified the cause of death for others. Two of the 18 deceased are toddlers, according to the county sheriff. 3 people are still missing – those reports are based on eyewitness accounts.
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President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Tennessee after record rainfall caused devastating floods that killed 18 people.
A statement sent Tuesday said the action frees up federal aid to help with recovery efforts in Humphreys County.
The flooding on Saturday took out roads, cellphone towers and telephone lines, leaving people uncertain about whether family and friends survived the unprecedented deluge.
Crews with chainsaws and heavy equipment are clearing their way through trees matted with vegetation, garbage and debris from homes as searchers scour a creek for more victims.
Even cars and sheds are woven into the tangle of debris lining Trace Creek in Humphreys County, where the town of Waverly saw the most death and destruction from Saturday’s flooding.
Humphreys County Chief Deputy Rob Edwards said excavators were moving the largest pieces of debris as search teams started from Waverly and moved slowly downstream.
The rainfall was more than triple the forecast and shattered a state record.
