Forecasters warn that floods could last for several days as heavy rain continues in many U.S. states.
Rivers have risen, exacerbated flooding in the south and midwest of the United States, further threatening communities already flooded by torrential rains, tornadoes and harsh winds that have killed at least 18 people.
From Texas to Ohio, the utility scrambled to shut down electricity and gas on Sunday, urging some cities to close roads and deploy punching bags to protect homes and businesses.
Forecasters warned that flooding could last for several days as concentrated rains have emerged in many US states, including Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
He added that tornadoes are possible in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said on Sunday that dozens of locations in multiple states are expected to reach “major flood stages,” allowing for massive flooding of critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges.
18 have been reported in Tennessee since the start of the storm on Wednesday, including 10, according to the Associated Press news agency.
The 9-year-old Kentucky was caught in a flood while walking to board a school bus. The 5-year-old Arkansas boy died after a tree fell into his family home and locked him up, police said.
The 16-year-old Missouri volunteer died in a crash while trying to rescue people caught in the storm.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled
521 national and international flights were cancelled in the US on Saturday, delaying more than 6,400 delays, according to FlightAware.com.
The storm comes after President Donald Trump cut jobs at the NWS forecast office, half of which cut jobs by about 20%, or twice the level they were 10 years ago.